Amfepramone, also known as diethylpropion, is a

stimulant Stimulants (also known as central nervous system stimulants, or psychostimulants, or colloquially as uppers) are a class of drugs that increase alertness. They are used for various purposes, such as enhancing attention, motivation, cognition, ...

drug of the

phenethylamine Phenethylamine (PEA) is an organic compound, natural monoamine alkaloid, and trace amine, which acts as a central nervous system stimulant in humans. In the brain, phenethylamine regulates monoamine neurotransmission by binding to trace ami ...

amphetamine Amphetamine (contracted from Alpha and beta carbon, alpha-methylphenethylamine, methylphenethylamine) is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that is used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, an ...

, and

cathinone Cathinone (; also known as β-ketoamphetamine) is a monoamine alkaloid found in the shrub ''Catha edulis'' (khat) and is chemically similar to ephedrine, cathine, methcathinone and other amphetamines. It is probably the main contributor to t ...

classes that is used as an

appetite suppressant An anorectic is a drug that reduces appetite, resulting in lower food consumption, leading to weight loss. These substances work by affecting the central nervous system or certain neurotransmitters to create a feeling of fullness or reduce the desi ...

. It is used in the short-term management of

obesity Obesity is a medical condition, considered by multiple organizations to be a disease, in which excess Adipose tissue, body fat has accumulated to such an extent that it can potentially have negative effects on health. People are classifi ...

, along with dietary and lifestyle changes. Amfepramone has a similar chemical structure to the antidepressant and

smoking cessation Smoking cessation, usually called quitting smoking or stopping smoking, is the process of discontinuing tobacco smoking. Tobacco smoke contains nicotine, which is Addiction, addictive and can cause Substance dependence, dependence. As a resu ...

aid

bupropion Bupropion, formerly called amfebutamone, and sold under the brand name Wellbutrin among others, is an atypical antidepressant that is indicated in the treatment of major depressive disorder, seasonal affective disorder, and to support smo ...

(previously called amfebutamone), which has also been developed as a weight-loss medicine when in a combination product with

naltrexone Naltrexone, sold under the brand name Revia among others, is a medication primarily used to manage alcohol use or opioid use disorder by reducing cravings and feelings of euphoria associated with substance use disorder. It has also been ...

Pharmacology

Amfepramone itself lacks any

affinity Affinity may refer to: Commerce, finance and law * Affinity (law), kinship by marriage * Affinity analysis, a market research and business management technique * Affinity Credit Union, a Saskatchewan-based credit union * Affinity Equity Pa ...

for the

monoamine transporter Monoamine transporters (MATs) are proteins that function as integral Cell membrane, plasma-membrane Neurotransmitter transporter, transporters to regulate concentrations of extracellular monoamine neurotransmitters. The three major classes are se ...

s and instead functions as a

prodrug A prodrug is a pharmacologically inactive medication or compound that, after intake, is metabolized (i.e., converted within the body) into a pharmacologically active drug. Instead of administering a drug directly, a corresponding prodrug can be ...

ethcathinone Ethcathinone, also known as ethylpropion or ETH-CAT, is a stimulant drug of the phenethylamine, amphetamine, and cathinone chemical classes. It is an active metabolite of the prodrug diethylcathinone and is fully responsible for its effects. Eth ...

. Ethcathinone (and therefore amfepramone as well) is a very weak

dopaminergic Dopaminergic means "related to dopamine" (literally, "working on dopamine"), a common neurotransmitter. Dopaminergic substances or actions increase dopamine-related activity in the brain. Dopaminergic pathways, Dopaminergic brain pathways facil ...

and

serotonergic A serotonergic substance, medication, or receptor protein is one that affects neurotransmission pathways that involve serotonin, as follows: * Serotonergic drugs ** Serotonin receptor agonists ** Serotonin receptor antagonists ** Serotonin reupta ...

, and is approximately 10× and 20× stronger on

norepinephrine Norepinephrine (NE), also called noradrenaline (NA) or noradrenalin, is an organic compound, organic chemical in the catecholamine family that functions in the brain and human body, body as a hormone, neurotransmitter and neuromodulator. The ...

in comparison, respectively.

Chemistry

Amfepramone can be synthesized from

propiophenone Propiophenone (shorthand: benzoylethane or BzEt) is an aryl ketone. It is a colorless, sweet-smelling liquid that is insoluble in water, but miscible with organic solvents. It is used in the preparation of other compounds. Production Propiophenon ...

bromination In chemistry, halogenation is a chemical reaction which introduces one or more halogens into a chemical compound. Halide-containing compounds are pervasive, making this type of transformation important, e.g. in the production of polymers, drugs ...

, followed by reaction with

diethylamine Diethylamine is an organic compound with the formula . It is classified as a secondary amine. It is a flammable, volatile weakly alkaline liquid that is miscible with most solvents. It is a colorless liquid, but commercial samples often appear br ...

Society and culture

Names

Another medically utilized name is diethylpropion (

British Approved Name A British Approved Name (BAN) is the official, non-proprietary, or generic name given to a pharmaceutical substance, as defined in the British Pharmacopoeia (BP). The BAN is also the official name used in some countries around the world, because ...

(BAN) and

Australian Approved Name An Australian Approved Name (AAN) is a generic drug name set by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for use in Australia. In late 2016, the TGA changed several drug names to the corresponding international nonproprietary name (INN), or, in ...

(AAN)). Chemical names include: α-methyl-β-keto-''N'',''N''-diethylphenethylamine, ''N'',''N''-diethyl-β-ketoamphetamine and ''N'',''N''-diethylcathinone.

Brand names A brand is a name, term, design, symbol or any other feature that distinguishes one seller's goods or service from those of other sellers. Brands are used in business, marketing, and advertising for recognition and, importantly, to create and ...

include: Anorex, Linea, Nobesine, Prefamone, Regenon, Tepanil and Tenuate.

Legal status

Amfepramone is classified as a Schedule IV

controlled substance A controlled substance is generally a drug or chemical whose manufacture, possession and use is regulated by a government, such as illicitly used drugs or prescription medications that are designated by law. Some treaties, notably the Sing ...

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 The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is an agency of the European Union (EU) in charge of the evaluation and supervision of pharmaceutical products. Prior to 2004, it was known as the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products ...

(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

{{Portal bar , Medicine Anorectics Cathinones Diethylamino compounds Norepinephrine-dopamine releasing agents Stimulants Withdrawn drugs World Anti-Doping Agency prohibited substances