Α-PHiP

α-Pyrrolidinoisohexanophenone 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. In July 2016 α-PiHP was first identified as a designer drug when it was reported to the EUDA by a forensic laboratory in Slovenia. 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. Compared to α-PVP and α-PHP, α-PiHP displays a higher selectivity for the dopamine transporter.