Amfepramone, also known as diethylpropion, is a stimulant drug of the phenethylamine, amphetamine, and cathinoneclasses that is used as an appetite suppressant.[8][9] It is used in the short-term management of obesity, along with dietary and lifestyle changes.[8] Amfepramone has a similar chemical structure to the antidepressant and smoking cessation aid bupropion (previously called amfebutamone), which has also been developed as a weight-loss medicine when in a combination product with naltrexone.[10]
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 IVcontrolled substance in the United States. In the UK amfepramone is a class C drug [14] 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.[15][6]
Recreational use
The authors of several studies of amfepramone claim that the substance has a relatively low potential for causing addiction in users.[16][17][4][18]
^ abBrayfield A, ed. (30 January 2013). "Diethylpropion Hydrochloride". Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference. London, UK: Pharmaceutical Press. Archived from the original on 27 August 2021. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
^Arias HR, Santamaría A, Ali SF (2009). "Pharmacological and neurotoxicological actions mediated by bupropion and diethylpropion". New Concepts of Psychostimulant Induced Neurotoxicity. International Review of Neurobiology. Vol. 88. pp. 223–55. doi:10.1016/S0074-7742(09)88009-4. ISBN9780123745040. PMID19897080.
^Hyde JF, Browning E, Adams R (1928). "Synthetic Homologs of d,l-Ephedrine". Journal of the American Chemical Society. 50 (8): 2287–2292. doi:10.1021/ja01395a032.
^"Class C Drugs". Schedule 2 Controlled Drugs. UK Legislation. Archived from the original on 14 November 2012. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
^Jasinski DR, Krishnan S (June 2009). "Abuse liability and safety of oral lisdexamfetamine dimesylate in individuals with a history of stimulant abuse". Journal of Psychopharmacology. 23 (4): 419–27. doi:10.1177/0269881109103113. PMID19329547. S2CID6138292.