Fenbutrazate

ECDD Technical summary
Fenbutrazate has a number of asymmetric sites and does not have a clear-cut amphetamine-like structure. It is unlikely that it is metabolized to amphetamine. There is very little information available on its general pharmacology, toxicology, pharmacokinetics, dependence potential, or the nature and magnitude of public health or social problems associated with its use or abuse. Some cases of abuse have been reported in France. Although fenbutrazate is available in France, Hong Kong, the Federal Republic of Germany, and Spain, few data on its therapeutic usefulness are available. There have been few reports of illicit trafficking in the substance. In summary, there is no evidence, except for its structural resemblance to phenmetrazine and the possibility that it could be metabolized to phenmetrazine, that fenbutrazate has a pharmacological profile or dependence potential similar to that of compounds already controlled under the Convention on Psychotropic Substances. Thus, the Expert Committee considered itself unable to make any recommendation until more information about the substance becomes available. In addition, since there have been no reports of significant public health problems associated with the use or abuse of fenbutrazate, no recommendation for urgent control seemed to be necessary.