Propylhexedrine

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Propylhexedrine
Systematic (IUPAC) name
N,α-dimethyl-cyclohexylethylamine
Identifiers
CAS number 3595-11-7
ATC code ??  ?
PubChem 7558
DrugBank ?
Chemical data
Formula C10H21N 
Mol. mass 155.29
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability  ?
Metabolism  ?
Half life  ?
Excretion  ?
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.

C

Legal status

Unscheduled (US Federal)
Schedule varies (US States)
Schedule V (Canada)

Routes Nasal inhaler

Propylhexedrine, also known as hexahydrodesoxyephedrine or dimethylcyclohexaneethanamine, is a sympathomimetic with varied medicinal uses, is an adrenergic compound used mainly to provide temporary symptomatic relief of nasal congestion due to colds, allergies and allergic rhinitis. Being a vasoconstrictor used to decongest nasal mucosa, it is administered by inhalation. Propylhexedrine is most commonly found in over the counter benzedrex inhalers. Benzedrex was first manufactured by Smith, Kline and French after the Benzedrine inhaler which contained amphetamine, became unavailable after the placement of amphetamines on Schedule II status (highest abuse potential of all legal drugs).

Benzedrex inhaler packaging
Benzedrex inhaler packaging

Contents

These inhalers have been occasionally used by people for their stimulant effects which are believed by some to be similar to methamphetamine. This is done by removing the cotton rod from the inhaler and swallowing it. Each cotton contains 250mg (quarter-gram) of propylhexedrine.

Propylhexedrine is of significantly less risk of being used recreationally than amphetamines. This is primarily because propylhexedrine has limited methods of use, unlike amphetamines. The abuse potential is low enough that neither the DEA nor the WHO consider it a drug of concern, unlike ephedrine or its salts. However, attempts to extract the drug from the nasal inhaler and then inject it have been known. Abuse by injection is dangerous and could result in death, which has been recorded.[1] [2]

It should be noted that, as with similar drugs, using propylhexedrine to keep oneself awake for extended amounts of time can lead to a temporary state of sleep deprivation psychosis during which an individual may experience hallucinations of all kinds as well as extreme paranoia, all common effects associated with sleep deprivation. The effect supposedly is "body tingles", which are simply waves of sensation that flow throughout various parts of the body. Some consider these tingles to be pleasurable, but not euphoric. The most sought-after effect is a general state of well-being and happiness associated with stimulants. However, this effect is not as pronounced as that delivered by more commonly abused stimulants such as methamphetamine or cocaine.

The effects vary from person to person. Many people suffer adverse effects after using the drug, feeling sick and nauseated. It is a vasoconstrictor, so ingestion can cause nausea and serious gastrointestinal issues. As with similar stimulants, it is possible to overdose on the substance.

It is important to note that eating cotton for any reason is not a healthy practice, and though not necessarily fatal, can still lead to gastrointestinal problems.

Propylhexedrine is structurally similar to methamphetamine. The only difference is that the phenyl group of the methamphetamine molecule is swapped with a cyclohexyl group. It is because of this that propylhexedrine is not an amphetamine, nor even a phenethylamine.

  1. ^ "Proposed Rules". Federal Register 50 (10): 2226 – 2227. 
  2. ^ Prince v. Ascher,   90 P.3d 1020 (2004)

Advanced Search
Included Web Search Engines


Safe Search

close

Top Matching Results

Occasionally Search.com will highlight specialized results that are based on the context of your query. Examples of specialized results include specific links to news, images, or video.

Top Matching Results may highlight information from other Search.com pages, content from the CNET Network of sites, or third party content. The listings are based purely on relevance. Search.com does not receive payment for listings in this section but our partners that provide this data may get paid for listing these products.

Sponsored Links

This section contains paid listings which have been purchased by companies that want to have their sites appear for specific search terms and related content. These listings are administered, sorted and maintained by a third party and are not endorsed by Search.com.

Search Results

Search.com sends your search query to several search engines at one time and integrates the results into one list which has been sorted by relevance using Search.com's proprietary algorithm. You can customize the list of search engines included in your metasearch from the preferences.

The search engines that are used in your metasearch may allow companies to pay to have their Web sites included within the results. To view the Paid Inclusion policy for a specific search engine, please visit their Web site. Search.com does not accept payment or share revenue with any search engine partner for listings in this section.