Fenethylline is a
theophylline derivative of
amphetamine having stimulant effects similar to those of other
amphetamine-type derivatives.
Fenethylline was used as medicament for hyperactivity disorders in children,
narcolepsy and depression, but it has also been used as a
drug of abuse under the common name of '
captagon'. Unlike other drugs of abuse, the clandestine synthesis of
fenethylline is simple, using inexpensive laboratory instrumentation and raw materials legal to obtain. A review of all the existing knowledge of
fenethylline is reported, concerning its chemistry, synthesis, pharmacology and toxicology, legislation, its prevalence and use as
drug of abuse, as well as its analysis in
biological or seized samples. Published or reported
captagon-related cases and
seizures are also presented. All the reviewed information was gathered through a detailed search of PubMed and the Internet. The primary
drug market for
fenethylline (as
captagon) has traditionally been countries located on the Arabian Peninsula but also North Africa since 2013. In Arab countries, millions of
captagon tablets are seized every year which represents one-third of global
amphetamines seizures within a year. Furthermore, three of four patients treated for
drug problems in Saudi Arabia are addicted to
amphetamines, almost exclusively in the form of
captagon. Significant information on
fenethylline is provided for pharmacologists, toxicologists and forensic pathologists.
Fenethylline, although old, has recently been introduced to the
drug market, especially in Arab countries. Continuous community alertness is needed to tackle this current growing phenomenon.