Propylhexedrine
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Propylhexedrine, also known as hexahydrodesoxyephedrine or dimethylcyclohexaneethanamine, is a sympathomimetic with varied medicinal uses, is an adrenergic compound used mainly to provide temporary symptomatic relief of nasal congestion due to colds, allergies and allergic rhinitis. Being a vasoconstrictor used to decongest nasal mucosa, it is administered by inhalation. Propylhexedrine is most commonly found in over the counter benzedrex inhalers.
These inhalers have been occasionally abused by people for their mild stimulant effects which are believed by some to be similar to methamphetamine. This is done by removing the cotton rod from the inhaler and swallowing it. Another method involves using the cotton in an acid-base extraction to obtain pure propylhexedrine. Each cotton contains 250mg (quarter-gram) of propylhexedrine.
Propylhexedrine is of significantly lower abuse potential than amphetamines. This is primarily because propylhexedrine has limited methods of use, unlike amphetamines. The abuse potential is low enough that neither the DEA nor the WHO consider it a drug of concern, unlike ephedrine or its salts.
Benzedrex was first manufactured by Smith, Kline and French after the Benzedrine inhaler was changed in legal status.
Recreational Use
One effect of abusing propylhexedrine is sleeplessness. It should be noted that, as with similar drugs, abusing propylhexedrine to keep oneself awake for extended amounts of time can lead to a temporary state of sleep deprivation psychosis during which an individual may experience hallucinations of all kinds as well as extreme paranoia. The second effect is body tingles, which are simply waves of sensation that flow throughout various parts of the body. Some consider these tingles to be pleasurable.
The effects vary from person to person. Likewise, some people may suffer adverse effects after abusing the drug, feeling sick and nauseated, up to and including death.
It is important to note that eating cotton for any reason is not a healthy practice, and though not necessarily fatal, can still lead to gastrointestinal problems.
Chemistry
Propylhexedrine is structurally similar to methamphetamine. The only difference is that the phenyl group of the methamphetamine molecule is swapped with a cyclohexyl group. It is because of this that propylhexedrine is not an amphetamine, nor even a phenethylamine.
See also
| Stimulants - [http://encycl.opentopia.com/ edit] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Caffeine | Nicotine | Modafinil | Adrafinil | Armodafinil | |||
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