''N''-Ethylpentylone (β-keto-ethylbenzodioxolylpentanamine, βk-ethyl-K, βk-EBDP, ephylone) is a

substituted cathinone Substituted cathinones, which include some stimulants and entactogens, are derivatives of cathinone. They feature a phenethylamine core with an alkyl group attached to the alpha carbon, and a ketone group attached to the beta carbon, along ...

and

stimulant Stimulants (also often referred to as psychostimulants or colloquially as uppers) is an overarching term that covers many drugs including those that increase activity of the central nervous system and the body, drugs that are pleasurable and inv ...

drug which was developed in the 1960s. It has been reported as a novel designer drug in several countries including the United Kingdom, South Africa, New Zealand, the United States, and Australia.Pill testing at festivals has hidden benefits that could reduce drug taking
Claudia Long, ABC News Online, 2018-07-20 In 2018, ''N''-ethylpentylone was the most common drug of the cathinone class to be identified in Drug Enforcement Administration seizures.

Adverse effects

''N''-Ethylpentylone has been reported to cause lethal heart palpitations and hallucinations. It has been linked to a number of overdose deaths and mass-casualty incidents, and has increasingly been mis-sold as MDMA.

Pharmacology

''N''-Ethylpentylone is primarily a mixed norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor and dopamine reuptake inhibitor. It binds to transporters with IC50, IC₅₀ values of 37 nM (dopamine transporter), 105 nM (norepinephrine transporter) and 383 nM (serotonin transporter). The methylenedioxy ring-substitution provides a higher potency at inhibiting serotonin reuptake than its analogue N-Ethylpentedrone, ''N''-ethylpentedrone.

Animal studies

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.

Legality

* In the United States, ''N''-ethylpentylone is a Controlled Substances Act#Schedule I controlled substances, Schedule I controlled substance since June 2018. * In Taiwan, ''N''-ethylpentylone is a controlled substance under Taiwan's Controlled Drugs Act since Dec 2017.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ethylpentylone, N- Cathinones Benzodioxoles Designer drugs Serotonin–norepinephrine–dopamine reuptake inhibitors

Adverse effects

Pharmacology

Animal studies

Legality

See also

References