Phendimetrazine, sold under the brand name Bontril among others, is a stimulant medication of the morpholine chemical class used as an appetite suppressant.
Pharmacology
Phendimetrazine functions as a prodrug of phenmetrazine; approximately 30% 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).
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 35 mg tablets are typically consumed one hour before meals, not to exceed three doses daily. Phendimetrazine is also manufactured as a 105 mg 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 210 mg (6 tablets), the extended-release capsules have a maximum daily dosage of 105 mg (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.
Synthesis
The reaction between 2-bromopropiophenone 1 and N-methylethanolamine 2 produces the intermediate of 3a/b in equilibrium, which is reductively cyclized using formic acid to yield phendimetrazine.Werner Heel and Karl Zeile, (1961 to Ingelheim, Germany, assignors to C. H. Boehringer Sohn, Ingelheim, Germany, a partnership).
Society and culture Brand names It is sold under various brand names including Bontril, Bontril PDM, Adipost, Anorex-SR, Appecon, Melfiat, Obezine, Phendiet, Plegine, Prelu-2, and Statobex.
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