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Amfecloral

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Amfecloral
Clinical data
Trade namesAcutran
Other namesalpha-methyl-N-(2,2,2-trichloroethylidene)phenethylamine;
N-(2,2,2-trichloroethylidene)amphetamine
Drug class
ATC code
  • none
Legal status
Legal status
Identifiers
  • 2,2,2-trichloro-N-(1-phenylpropan-2-yl)ethanimine
CAS Number
PubChem CID
ChemSpider
UNII
KEGG
ChEMBL
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC11H12Cl3N
Molar mass264.57 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
  • ClC(Cl)(Cl)/C=N/C(Cc1ccccc1)C
  • InChI=1S/C11H12Cl3N/c1-9(15-8-11(12,13)14)7-10-5-3-2-4-6-10/h2-6,8-9H,7H2,1H3/b15-8+ checkY
  • Key:VBZDETYCYXPOAK-OVCLIPMQSA-N checkY
 ☒NcheckY (what is this?)  (verify)

Amfecloral (INN) or amphecloral (USAN) is central nervous system stimulant and depressant combination drug composed of dextroamphetamine and the sedative-hypnotic, chloral hydrate. Marked at as Acutran, it was in common use through the twentieth century as an anorectic appetite suppressant ("diet pill") for the treatment of obesity until its discontinuation in 1973. Amfecloral belongs to the phenethylamine and substituted amphetamine chemical classes.

Context of 20th Century Combination Upper-Downer Combo Drugs

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Like other "diet pills" common to the era, amfecloral could be included among the list of such combination anorectics as Desbutol, Dexamyl, and Obetrol, all of which were forced to discontinue production by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1973.[1] It is notable that a 1970 review specified that amfecloral was a rare example of an amphetamine with little to no stimulant activity, likely due to the powerful sedating effects of chloral hydrate, the same claims were not made of the other combination medications.[2]

Naming

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The British Pharmacopoeia Commission approved the name in 1970.[3] and therefore a de facto combination drug similar to other such anti-obesity drugs in use at the time, such as Desbutal, Dexamyl, and Obetrol.

Synthesis and Pharmacology

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The raw ingredients used in manufacturing it were dextroamphetamine and chloral hydrate.[4]

Amfecloral is metabolised to both d-(S)- and l-(R)-amphetamine and, most likely, also to chloral hydrate.[5] Amphetamine is a stimulant, whereas chloral hydrate is a sedative/hypnotic drug.[6]

The extent of metabolism and in-vivo contribution of a chloral hydrate metabolism to its purported "little to no stimulant activity" is unknown.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Ganellin CR, Triggle DJ (1996). Dictionary of pharmacological agents, Volumes 1-2. Chapman & Hall. p. 67. ISBN 9780412466304.
  2. ^ Van Rossum JM (1970). "Mode of action of psychomotor stimulant drugs". International Review of Neurobiology. 12: 307–83. doi:10.1016/s0074-7742(08)60065-3. ISBN 9780123668127. PMID 4918147.
  3. ^ "Notes and News". The Lancet. 296 (7675): 730–732. October 1970. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(70)92010-6.
  4. ^ McPherson EM (2007). Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Encyclopedia (3rd ed.). Burlington: Elsevier. p. 244. ISBN 9780815518563.
  5. ^ "NCATS Inxight Drugs — AMFECLORAL, (+)-". drugs.ncats.io. Retrieved 2024-07-16.
  6. ^ Pagel JF, Parnes BL (June 2001). "Medications for the Treatment of Sleep Disorders: An Overview". Primary Care Companion to the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. 3 (3): 118–125. doi:10.4088/pcc.v03n0303. PMC 181172. PMID 15014609.