Ephenidine


Ephenidine is a dissociative anesthetic that has been sold online as a designer drug. It is illegal in some countries as a structural isomer of the banned opioid drug lefetamine, but has been sold in countries where it is not yet banned.

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

Ephenidine and related diarylethylamines have been studied in vitro as treatments for neurotoxic injuries, and are antagonists of the NMDA receptor. Ephenidine also possesses weaker affinity for dopamine and norepinephrine transporters as well as σ1R and σ2R binding sites.

Pharmacokinetics

Metabolism

Ephenidine's metabolic pathway consists of N-oxidation, N-dealkylation, mono- and bis-hydroxylation of the benzene ring, and hydroxylation of the phenyl ring only after N-dealkylation. The dihydroxy metabolites were conjugated by methylation of one hydroxy group, and hydroxy metabolites by glucuronidation or sulfation.

Chemistry

Ephenidine reacts with reagent tests to give a semi-unique array of colors which can be used to aid its identification.
ReagentReaction color
MarquisOrange > Brown
MandelinGreen
LiebermannDeep red > Brown
FroehdeLight Yellow

Society and culture

Sweden's public health agency suggested that Ephenidine be classified as a hazardous substance on 1 June 2015. Due to that suggestion, Ephenidine became a scheduled substance, in Sweden, as of 18 August 2015.
In Canada, MT-45 and its analogues were made Schedule I controlled substances. Possession without legal authority can result in maximum 7 years imprisonment. Further, Health Canada amended the Food and Drug Regulations in May, 2016 to classify AH-7921 as a restricted drug. Only those with a law enforcement agency, person with an exemption permit or institutions with Minister's authorization may possess the drug.