N-Ethylpentylone
Substituted cathinone stimulant drug
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
N-Ethylpentylone (β-keto-ethylbenzodioxolylpentanamine, βk-ethyl-K, βk-EBDP, ephylone) is a substituted cathinone and stimulant drug which was developed in the 1960s.[2][3]
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- BR: Class F2 (Prohibited psychotropics)[1]
- CA: Schedule I
- DE: Anlage II (Authorized trade only, not prescriptible)
- UK: Class B
- US: Schedule I
- UN: Psychotropic Schedule II
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| Formula | C14H19NO3 |
| Molar mass | 249.310 g·mol−1 |
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It has been reported as a novel designer drug in several countries including the United Kingdom,[4] South Africa,[5] New Zealand,[6] the United States,[7] and Australia.[8] In 2018, N-ethylpentylone was the most common drug of the cathinone class to be identified in Drug Enforcement Administration seizures.[9]
Adverse effects
N-Ethylpentylone has been reported to cause lethal heart palpitations and hallucinations.[10] It has been linked to a number of overdose deaths[11][7] and hospitalisations,[12][13] and has increasingly been mis-sold as MDMA.[14]
Pharmacology
N-Ethylpentylone is primarily a mixed norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor and dopamine reuptake inhibitor. It binds to transporters with IC50 values of 37 nM (dopamine transporter), 105 nM (norepinephrine transporter) and 383 nM (serotonin transporter).[15] The methylenedioxy ring-substitution provides a higher potency at inhibiting serotonin reuptake than its analogue N-ethylpentedrone.[16] N-Ethylpentylone is also a low-potency serotonin 5-HT2A receptor agonist, with an EC50 of 5,200 nM.[17]
In vivo studies in mice demonstrated that acute intraperitoneal administration of N-ethylpentylone induced an increase in locomotor activity, anxiolytic effects but also an aggressive behaviour as well as social exploration deficits. Repeated exposure to N-ethylpentylone induced hyperthermia, anorexia and rewarding effects. During withdrawal after repeated administration, depression-like symptoms, hyperlocomotion, and a decrease of social exploration were observed.[16][18]
Society and culture
Legal status
- In the United States, N-ethylpentylone is a Schedule I controlled substance since June 2018.[19]
- In Taiwan, N-ethylpentylone is a controlled substance under Taiwan's Controlled Drugs Act since Dec 2017.[20]
- In the Netherlands it has been added to the Opium Law on July 1 2025.[21]