Acetyl-alpha-methylfentanyl

Current Scheduling Status
Schedule I and Schedule IV of the 1961 Convention on Narcotic Drugs
Year(s) and type of review / ECDD meetings
Drug Class

Recommendation (from TRS)

Substance identification
Acetyl-alpha-methylfentanyl (CAS 101860-00-8); chemical name: (1) CAS: N-[1-(- -methy]-2-phenylethyl)-4-piperidiny]]-N- phenylacetamide; (2) TUFA: N-[1-(amethylethyl)-4-piperidyllacetinilide. There is one asymmetric centre and the compound can exist as a racemate or two stereoisomers.

Similarity to known substances and effects on the CNS
Acetyl-alpha-methylfentanyl has been classified pharmacologically as a mu-type opioid receptor agonist with a profile similar to that of fentanyl. As a mu-type opioid agonist it possesses analgesic activity and produces morphine-like euphoric effects. Its analgesic potency is ten times that of morphine. Like other mu-opioids, acetyl-alpha-methylfentanyl can depress respiration, and its effects on the central nervous system can be reversed by narcotic antagonists such as naloxone.

Dependence potential
Acetyl-alpha-methylfentanyl substitutes- completely for morphine in the morphine-dependent monkey.

Actual abuse and or/evidence of likelihood of abuse
Street abuse of acetyl-alpha-methylfentanyl has been reported in the United States of America. It has appeared in the illicit traffic and is clandestinely produced.

Therapeutic usefulness
At present, acetyl-alphamethylfentanyl has no known therapeutic use.

Recommendation
The Committee found that there was sufficient evidence to indicate that acetyl-alpha-methylfentany]l is liable to similar abuse as, and produces ill-effects similar to those seen with, drugs in Schedule I of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961 and that Convention as amended by the 1972 Protocol. The Committee rated the abuse liability of the drug as high. The

degree of seriousnéss of the public health and social problems associated with the drug was also found to be high and there is no known therapeutic usefulness. Therefore, the Committee recommended that acetyl-alphamethylfentanyl be controlled in Schedules I and IV of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961 and that Convention as amended by the 1972 Protocol.

ECDD Recommendation

Inclusion in Schedule I and Schedule IV of the 1961 Convention on Narcotic Drugs