Lefetamine-related 1,2-diphenylethylamines were invented in the 1940s and showed weak analgesic activity.[2]
It was investigated in Japan in the 1950s.[3] The L-isomer showed weak analgesic action comparable to codeine and antitussive action far weaker than codeine. The d-isomer showed no such activity but caused seizures in rats.[4][5]
Society and culture
It was abused in Japan during the 1950s. In a small study in 1989 it showed some effect against opioid withdrawal symptoms without causing withdrawal symptoms itself. It was concluded that it may be an opioid partial agonist.[6]
It has been abused in Europe; in 1989 a small study of 15 abusers and some volunteers found that it had some partial similarity to opioids, that it produced withdrawal symptoms, and had dependence and abuse potential to a certain degree.[7]
In a small study in 1994, it was compared to clonidine and buprenorphine in the detoxification of methadone patients and found to be inferior to both of them.[8]
Regulation may vary; it does not appear as either a narcotic or non-narcotic under the US Controlled Substances Act 1970 [9]
The Canadian Controlled Drugs and Substances Act was amended in 2016 to include the substance as a Schedule III substance. Possession without legal authority can result in maximum 3 years imprisonment. Further, Health Canada amended the Food and Drug Regulations in May, 2016 to classify Lefetamine as a controlled drug.[10]
Research
Some related pyrrylphenylethanones had analgesic activity comparable to morphine.[11] Some pyrrole analogues were reported to have analgesic effects comparable to lefetamine and being devoid of neurotoxic properties.[12]
^DE patent 1159958, Ogyu K, Fujimura H, Yamakawa Y, Mita I, "Verfahren zur Herstellung von antitussiv wirksamem l-1,2-Diphenyl-1-dimethylaminoaethan und dessen Salzen", issued 1963-12-27, assigned to Institut Seikatsu Kagaku Kenkyusho (Scientific Research Institute for Practical Life, Kyoto)
^Mannelli P, Janiri L, De Marinis M, Tempesta E (October 1989). "Lefetamine: new abuse of an old drug--clinical evaluation of opioid activity". Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 24 (2): 95–101. doi:10.1016/0376-8716(89)90071-9. PMID2571492.
^Janiri L, Mannelli P, Pirrongelli C, Lo Monaco M, Tempesta E (January 1989). "Lephetamine abuse and dependence: clinical effects and withdrawal syndrome". British Journal of Addiction. 84 (1): 89–95. doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.1989.tb00555.x. PMID2917208.
^Janiri L, Mannelli P, Persico AM, Serretti A, Tempesta E (October 1994). "Opiate detoxification of methadone maintenance patients using lefetamine, clonidine and buprenorphine". Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 36 (2): 139–45. doi:10.1016/0376-8716(94)90096-5. PMID7851281.
^Massa S, Di Santo R, Mai A, Artico M, Pantaleoni GC, Giorgi R, Coppolino MF (July 1992). "Pyrrylphenylethanones related to cathinone and lefetamine: synthesis and pharmacological activities". Archiv der Pharmazie. 325 (7): 403–9. doi:10.1002/ardp.19923250707. PMID1417455. S2CID22300931.
^Massa S, Stefancich G, Artico M, Corelli F, Silvestri R, Pantaleoni GC, et al. (September 1989). "Synthesis, neuropsychopharmacological effects and analgesic-antiinflammatory activities of pyrrole analogues of lefetamine". Farmaco. 44 (9). Societa Chimica Italiana: 763–77. PMID2604832.