Phendimetrazine Explained

Phendimetrazine (Bontril, Adipost, Anorex-SR, Appecon, Melfiat, Obezine, Phendiet, Plegine, Prelu-2, Statobex) is a stimulant drug of the morpholine chemical class used as an appetite suppressant.[1]

Pharmacology

Phendimetrazine functions as a prodrug to phenmetrazine; approximately 30 percent of an oral dose is converted into it. Phendimetrazine can essentially be thought of as an extended-release formulation of phenmetrazine with less potential for abuse. Phendimetrazine is an anorectic drug which acts as a norepinephrine-dopamine releasing agent (NDRA).[2]

As an amphetamine congener, its structure incorporates the backbone of methamphetamine, a potent CNS stimulant. While the addition of an N-methyl group to amphetamine significantly increases its potency and bioavailability, methylation of phenmetrazine renders the compound virtually inactive. However, phendimetrazine is a prodrug for phenmetrazine which acts as the active metabolite. Phendimetrazine possesses preferable pharmacokinetics over phenmetrazine as a therapeutic agent because its metabolization by demethylases produces a more steady and prolonged exposure of active drug within the body. This decreases abuse potential as the peak blood-concentration of active phenmetrazine that's produced from a single dose of phendimetrazine is lower than a single therapeutically equivalent dose of phenmetrazine.

Indicated as a short-term secondary treatment for exogenous obesity, phendimetrazine immediate-release 35mg tablets are typically consumed one hour before meals, not to exceed three doses daily. Phendimetrazine is also manufactured as a 105mg extended-release capsule for once daily dosing, typically consumed 30 to 60 minutes before a morning meal. Whereas the immediate-release formulation has a maximum daily dosage of 210mg (6 tablets), the extended-release capsules have a maximum daily dosage of 105mg (one capsule).

Legality

According to the List of Psychotropic Substances under International Control published by the International Narcotics Control Board, phendimetrazine is a Schedule III controlled substance under the Convention on Psychotropic Substances.[3]

Synthesis

The reaction between N-methylethanolamine and 2-bromopropiophenone gives compound (3), which is reductively cyclised using formic acid to synthesize phendimetrazine.[4] [5]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Landau D, Jackson J, Gonzalez G . A case of demand ischemia from phendimetrazine . Cases J . 1 . 1 . 105 . 2008 . 18710555 . 2531092 . 10.1186/1757-1626-1-105 . free .
  2. Rothman RB, Baumann MH . Therapeutic potential of monoamine transporter substrates . Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry . 6 . 17 . 1845–59 . 2006 . 17017961 . 10.2174/156802606778249766 . 2020-05-05 .
  3. Web site: List of psychotropic substances under international control . 2005-06-15 . 2012-08-31 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120831222336/http://www.incb.org/pdf/e/list/green.pdf . dead .
  4. Web site: Phendimetrazine . Thieme . 30 June 2024.
  5. Werner Heel and Karl Zeile, (1961 to Ingelheim, Germany, assignors to C. H. Boehringer Sohn, Ingelheim, Germany, a partnership).