Objective This study aimed to review the available evidence‐based literature on novel psychoactive substances and to inform health care professionals.

Methods Internet searches were carried out using Google and Yahoo by using specific key words. For each set of key words, the first 100 websites identified by Google and Yahoo were fully assessed, together with a further 5% of random samples selected by research randomizer of the remaining websites. Thus, a list of unique web forums was identified, and qualitative information was extracted. Available evidence‐based literature were reviewed along with a user's experimentation with mephedrone, NRG‐1, NRG‐2 and Benzofury.

Results It showed that when a substance (mephedrone) became controlled, the vendors aggressively promote the sale of other new compounds (NRG‐1, NRG‐2, Benzofury) to attract vulnerable adults. The characteristics, toxicity and suggested management of these new compounds (NRG‐1, NRG‐2, Benzofury) are discussed.