4-MTA undergoes limited biotransformation, the metabolic pathways of the metabolites in humans is postulated in the following steps:
β-Hydroxylation of the side chain to 4-hydroxy-4-methyltioaphetamine (step I).

Ring hydroxylation to a phenolic structure (step II).

Oxidative deamination to form an oxo metabolite, followed by (step III):
reduction into the corresponding alcohol (step IIIa),
degradation of the side chain to 4-methylthiobenzoic acid (step IIIb).

The main metabolite was identified as 4-methylthiobenzoic acid.
This compound leads to bioactivation (toxification), since the metabolite increases dramatically the sensitivity to the reduction in ATP content.
The biotransformation shows great similarities to the metabolic pathway of the structurally related 4-methoxyamphetamine
4-MTA undergoes limited biotransformation, the metabolic pathways of the metabolites in humans is postulated in the following steps:
β-Hydroxylation of the side chain to 4-hydroxy-4-methyltioaphetamine (step I).
Ring hydroxylation to a phenolic structure (step II).
Oxidative deamination to form an oxo metabolite, followed by (step III):
reduction into the corresponding alcohol (step IIIa),
degradation of the side chain to 4-methylthiobenzoic acid (step IIIb).
The main metabolite was identified as 4-methylthiobenzoic acid. This compound leads to bioactivation (toxification), since the metabolite increases dramatically the sensitivity to the reduction in ATP content. The biotransformation shows great similarities to the metabolic pathway of the structurally related 4-methoxyamphetamine
4-Methylthioamphetamine