α-Pyrrolidinoisohexanophenone (mainly known as A-PiHP or α-PiHP) is a stimulant drug of the cathinone class that has been sold online as a designer drug. It acts as a potent norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI). In July 2016 α-PHiP was first identified as a designer drug[2] when it was reported to the EMCDDA by a forensic laboratory in Slovenia.[3][4] It is a positional isomer of pyrovalerone, with the methyl group shifted from the 4-position of the aromatic ring to the 4-position of the acyl chain. Similarly to other cathinones, use of α-PiHP can result in compulsive redosing, addiction, anxiety, paranoia, and psychosis.
Pharmacology
In a classic 2006 study of pyrrolidinyl cathinone derivatives by Meltzer et al. at Organix, the alpha-isobutyl derivative of pyrovalerone, O-2494, was found to have the highest potency in vitro as an inhibitor of the dopamine transporter of the alpha substituted derivatives tested.[5] Compared to α-PVP and α-PHP, α-PiHP displays a higher selectivity for the dopamine transporter.
^Liu C, Jia W, Li T, Hua Z, Qian Z (August 2017). "Identification and analytical characterization of nine synthetic cathinone derivatives N-ethylhexedrone, 4-Cl-pentedrone, 4-Cl-α-EAPP, propylone, N-ethylnorpentylone, 6-MeO-bk-MDMA, α-PiHP, 4-Cl-α-PHP, and 4-F-α-PHP". Drug Testing and Analysis. 9 (8): 1162–1171. doi:10.1002/dta.2136. PMID27863142.
