N,α-Diethylphenethylamine (N,α-DEPEA, 2-ethylamino-1-phenylbutane, EAPB) is a close
chemical analog of
methamphetamine, which has been sold as a
designer drug.[1][2][3] It was originally patented by Knoll Pharma as one of several analogs for pharmaceutical applications. In animal models these analogs showed properties of cognitive enhancement and increased pain tolerance.[4] Nevertheless, this class of compounds was never developed into a medicine.
N,α-DEPEA has not been studied in humans, but experts such as Pieter Cohen of
Harvard Medical School expect it to be less potent than methamphetamine, but greater than
ephedrine.[5]
Adulterant in nutritional supplements
In January 2013, the South Korean authorities reported seizing a large quantity of the pure material, predicting it would soon be found on the market.[6] Later in 2013, it was found as an
adulterant in biologically significant amounts in the pre-workout supplements Craze (marketed by Driven Sports, Inc.) and Detonate (marketed by Gaspari Nutrition).[4][7] It was falsely claimed to be Dendrobium extract.[5][8][9]
^Wójtowicz M, Jarek A, Chajewska K, Turek-Lepa E, Kwiatkowska D (November 2015). "Determination of designer doping agent--2-ethylamino-1-phenylbutane--in dietary supplements and excretion study following single oral supplement dose". Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 115: 523–33.
doi:
10.1016/j.jpba.2015.07.025.
PMID26311473.
^
abLee J, Venhuis BJ, Heo S, Choi H, Seol I, Kim E (2013). "Identification and quantitation of N,α-diethylphenethylamine in preworkout supplements sold via the Internet". Forensic Toxicology. 32: 148–153.
doi:
10.1007/s11419-013-0205-6.
S2CID41372093.
^Lee J, Choe S, Choi H, Heo S, Kim E, Kim H, Bang E, Chung H (January 2013). "Identification of N-ethyl-α-ethylphenethylamine in crystalline powder seized for suspected drug trafficking: A research chemical or a new designer drug?". Forensic Toxicology. 31: 54–58.
doi:
10.1007/s11419-012-0158-1.
S2CID13523048.
^Cohen PA, Travis JC, Venhuis BJ (2014). "A methamphetamine analog (N,α-diethyl-phenylethylamine) identified in a mainstream dietary supplement". Drug Testing and Analysis. 6 (7–8): 805–7.
doi:
10.1002/dta.1578.
PMID24124092.
S2CID42232885.