Contents

Benzphetamine

Chemical compound

Benzphetamine

Clinical data
Trade names	Didrex, Recede
Other names	N-benzyl-N-methylamphetamine
AHFS/Drugs.com	Professional Drug Facts
License data	US DailyMed: Benzphetamine
Dependence liability	High[1]
Routes of administration	By mouth
ATC code	None
Legal status
Legal status	AU: S4 (Prescription only) BR: Class F2 (Prohibited psychotropics)[2] CA: Schedule I DE: Anlage I (Authorized scientific use only) UK: Class C US: Schedule III
Pharmacokinetic data
Protein binding	75–99%
Elimination half-life	4-6 hours
Identifiers
IUPAC name (2S)-N-Benzyl-N-methyl-1-phenylpropan-2-amine
CAS Number	156-08-1 Y
PubChem CID	5311017
DrugBank	DB00865 Y
ChemSpider	4470556 Y
UNII	0M3S43XK27
KEGG	D07514 D07515
ChEBI	CHEBI:3044 Y
ChEMBL	ChEMBL3545985 N
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID4022656
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C17H21N
Molar mass	239.362 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
SMILES N(C)(Cc1ccccc1)[C@@H](C)Cc2ccccc2
InChI InChI=1S/C17H21N/c1-15(13-16-9-5-3-6-10-16)18(2)14-17-11-7-4-8-12-17/h3-12,15H,13-14H2,1-2H3/t15-/m0/s1 Y Key:YXKTVDFXDRQTKV-HNNXBMFYSA-N Y
NY (what is this?)  (verify)

Benzphetamine (brand name Didrex) is a substituted amphetamine used short-term along with a doctor-approved, reduced-calorie diet, exercise, and behavioral program for weight loss. It is prescribed for obesity to people who have been unable to lose weight through exercise and dieting alone. It is a prodrugtodextroamphetamine and dextromethamphetamine.^[3][4][5]

Benzphetamine is an anorectic, primarily promoting weight loss through reduced appetite. It also slightly increases metabolism.

Pharmacology[edit]

Benzphetamine is a sympathomimetic amine and is classified as an anorectic.^[6] The drug's main function is to reduce appetite, which in turn reduces caloric intake.^{[medical citation needed]}

Although the mechanism of action of the sympathomimetic appetite suppressants in the treatment of obesity is not fully known, these medications have pharmacological effects similar to those of amphetamines. Amphetamine and related sympathomimetic medications (such as benzphetamine) are thought to stimulate the release of norepinephrine and/or dopamine from storage sites in nerve terminals of the lateral hypothalamic feeding center, thereby producing a decrease in appetite. This release is mediated through the binding of benzphetamine to VMAT₂ and inhibiting its function, causing a release of these neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft through their reuptake transporters. Tachyphylaxis and tolerance have been demonstrated with all drugs of this class.^{[medical citation needed]}

Benzphetamine has a half-life of 4–6 hours.^[7]

Contraindications[edit]

Benzphetamine is contraindicated in patients with advanced arteriosclerosis, symptomatic cardiovascular disease, moderate to severe hypertension, hyper-thyroidism, known hypersensitivity or idiosyncrasy to sympathomimetic amines, and glaucoma, or who have recently used a MAOI. Benzphetamine should not be given to patients who are in an agitated state or who have a history of drug abuse.^[8]

Controlled substance classification[edit]

Benzphetamine is unique in its classification as a Schedule III drug in the United States. (Most members of the amphetamine family are classified in the more highly regulated Schedule II.) Benzphetamine is metabolized by the human body into amphetamine and methamphetamine, making it one of a number of drugs to undergo in vivo conversion to a substance of higher addiction and abuse potential.^[9]

References[edit]

External links[edit]

• "Benzphetamine". Drug Information Portal. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
• "Benzphetamine hydrochloride". Drug Information Portal. U.S. National Library of Medicine.