Amfepramone
Amfepramone, also known as diethylpropion, is a stimulant drug of the phenethylamine, amphetamine, and cathinone classes that is used as an appetite suppressant. It is used in the short-term management of obesity, along with dietary and lifestyle changes. Amfepramone has a similar chemical structure to the antidepressant and smoking cessation aid bupropion, which has also been developed as a weight-loss medicine when in a combination product with naltrexone.
Pharmacology
Amfepramone itself lacks any affinity for the monoamine transporters and instead functions as a prodrug to ethcathinone. Ethcathinone is a very weak dopaminergic and serotonergic, and is approximately 10× and 20× stronger on norepinephrine in comparison, respectively.Chemistry
Amfepramone can be synthesized from propiophenone by bromination, followed by reaction with diethylamine.Society and culture
Names
Another medically utilized name is diethylpropion and Australian [Approved Name] ). 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 IV controlled substance in the United States. In the UK amfepramone is a class C drug 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 recommends the withdrawal of marketing authorizations for amfepramone.