Propylhexedrine crystal rocks

Propylhexedrine crystal rocks – More information

Propylhexedrine (commonly known as Benzedrex and Obesin) is a stimulant substance of the cycloalkylamine class. Propylhexedrine is widely used medicinally as a nasal decongestant (for relief of congestion due to colds, allergies and allergic rhinitis) and sometimes used recreationally as an over-the-counter “legal high”. It is a structural analog of methamphetamine.

In the United States, propylhexedrine is most commonly found in over-the-counter Benzedrex nasal inhalers. Benzedrex was first manufactured by Smith, Kline and French after the Benzedrine inhaler, which contained racemic amphetamine, became unavailable following the placement of amphetamines on the US Schedule II status (highest abuse potential, yet with accepted medicinal uses). Propylhexedrine has also seen use in Europe as an appetite suppressant under the trade name Obesin.

clinical data

Propylhexedrine dosage table

Propylhexedrine effect progress

Chemistry

Propylhexedrine is structurally similar to phenylethylamine and its derivatives, with the only structural difference being the substitution of an alicyclic cyclohexyl group for the aromatic phenyl group of phenethylamine. It can be considered a structural analog of methamphetamine or a cycloalkylamine, with the main difference being that propylhexedrine has a saturated cyclohexane ring where methamphetamine has a benzene ring.

Moreover, propylhexedrine is a chiral compound (the α-carbon is chiral), and active ingredient contained in Benzedrex inhalers is racemic (RS)-propylhexedrine as the free base. (S)-Propylhexedrine, also known as levopropylhexedrine, is believed to be the more biologically active isomer of the two. (S)-Propylhexedrine can be synthesized from methamphetamine.

Toxicity

The toxicity of recreational propylhexedrine use has not been studied as extensively as that of amphetamine or methamphetamine but it is reasonable to assume that most if not all of the same risks apply.

It is strongly recommended that one use harm reduction practices when using this substance.

Tolerance

As with other stimulants, the chronic use of propylhexedrine can be considered extremely addictive with a high potential for abuse and is capable of causing psychological dependence among certain users. When addiction has developed, cravings and withdrawal effects may occur if a person suddenly stops their usage.

Tolerance to the effects of this compound likely occurs in the same general fashion as with amphetamine rapidly develops with prolonged and repeated use. This results in users having to administer increasingly large doses to achieve the same effects. After that, it takes about 3 – 7 days for the tolerance to be reduced to half and 1 – 2 weeks to be back at baseline (in the absence of further consumption). Propylhexedrine presents cross-tolerance with all dopaminergic stimulants, meaning that after the consumption of propylhexedrine all stimulants will have a reduced effect.

Like with amphetamine and methamphetamine the evidence on effective treatments for dependence and abuse is limited. In light of this, fluoxetine and imipramine appear to have some limited benefits in treating abuse and addiction

In highly dependent amphetamine and methamphetamine abusers, “when chronic heavy users abruptly discontinue methamphetamine use, many report a time-limited withdrawal syndrome that occurs within 24 hours of their last dose”. Withdrawal symptoms in chronic, high-dose users are frequent, occurring in up to 87.6% of cases, and persist for three to four weeks with a marked “crash” phase occurring during the first week. Methamphetamine withdrawal symptoms can include anxiety, drug craving, dysphoric mood, fatigue, increased appetite, increased movement or decreased movement, lack of motivation, sleeplessness or sleepiness, and vivid or lucid dreams. Withdrawal symptoms are associated with the degree of dependence (i.e., the extent of abuse). The mental depression associated with methamphetamine withdrawal lasts longer and is more severe than that of cocaine withdrawal.. It is likely that propylhexedrine abuse is subject to these same outcomes.

Psychosis

Like with the abuse of methamphetamine, propylhexedrine abuse can result in a stimulant-induced psychotic state that may present with a variety of symptoms (e.g., paranoia, hallucinations, delusions), though likely to a lesser degree. A review on treatment for amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, and methamphetamine abuse-induced psychosis states that about 5–15% of users fail to recover completely. The same review asserts that, based upon at least one trial, antipsychotic medications effectively resolve the symptoms of acute amphetamine psychosis.