Fenetylline

ECDD Technical summary
Chemically, fenetylline is a racemic ethyltheophylline derivative of amphetamine. Pharmacologically, it resembles amphetamine in some aspects, but there are a number -of qualitative differences between the two substances. The pattern of toxicity in animals is similar to that observed with amphetamine. There is a low incidence of clinical side-effects. The drug is well absorbed, with an elimination half-life of about 1.3- hours. It is converted to a number of metabolites, including some amphetamine, that are slowly excreted. In experiments, fenetylline is self-administered by rhesus monkeys but not to the same degree as amphetamine. In the most recent studies only 2 out of 5 animals self-administered the drug more frequently than they self-administered saline. In drug discrimination studies in a number of species, fenetylline was discriminated as amphetamine-like in some cases. There are limited data on clinical dependence potential; but widespread and increasing abuse has been reported in the Federal Republic of Germany, with additional reports of abuse from Mexico, Sweden, and South-West Asia. The drug is used therapeutically mainly in paediatric and geriatric practice. It is marketed in a large number of countries. In recent years there has been an increasing number of reports of illicit trafficking in fenetylline and it is under legislative control in many countries. Interpol has reported data on the seizure of the drug from 13 countries from 1981 to 1983, totalling approximately 20 million dosage units. Particular concern has been expressed by a number of countries from the eastern Mediterranean area and South-West Asia. On the basis of the data outlined above, it was the consensus of the Expert Committee that fenetylline met the criteria of article 2, paragraph 4, for control under the Convention on Psychotropic Substances and should be placed in Schedule II of the Convention.