Amfepramone

Pharmacology

Amfepramone itself lacks any affinity for the monoamine transporters and instead functions as a prodrug to ethcathinone. Ethcathinone (and therefore amfepramone as well) is a very weak dopaminergic and serotonergic, and is approximately 10× and 20× stronger on norepinephrine in comparison, respectively.

Chemistry

Amfepramone can be synthesized from propiophenone by bromination, followed by reaction with diethylamine.

Society and culture

Names

Another medically utilized name is diethylpropion (British Approved Name (BAN) and Australian Approved Name (AAN)). Chemical names include: α-methyl-β-keto-N,N-diethylphenethylamine, N,N-diethyl-β-ketoamphetamine and N,N-diethylcathinone. Brand names include: Anorex, Linea, Nobesine, Prefamone, Regenon, Tepanil and Tenuate.

Legal status

Amfepramone is classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance in the United States. In the UK amfepramone is a class C drug and as a medicine, it is a Schedule 3 Controlled Drug which requires safe custody.

As of June 2022, the safety committee of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommends the withdrawal of marketing authorizations for amfepramone.

Recreational use

The authors of several studies of amfepramone claim that the substance has a relatively low potential for causing addiction in users.

References

References

1. Anvisa. (2023-03-31). "RDC Nº 784 - Listas de Substâncias Entorpecentes, Psicotrópicas, Precursoras e Outras sob Controle Especial". [[Diário Oficial da União]].
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13. "Class C Drugs". UK Legislation.
14. (10 June 2022). "EMA recommends withdrawal of marketing authorisation for amfepramone medicines".
15. (1977). "Diethylpropion (tenuate): an infrequently abused anorectic". Psychosomatics.
16. (June 2009). "Abuse liability and safety of oral lisdexamfetamine dimesylate in individuals with a history of stimulant abuse". Journal of Psychopharmacology.
17. "Tepanil (diethylpropion hydrochloride) tablet, extended release". National Institutes of Health.
18. (May 1963). "Habituation to diethylpropion (Tenuate)". Canadian Medical Association Journal.