Systematic (IUPAC) name
Clinical data
Trade names Tenuate
Pregnancy cat.
Legal status
Routes Oral
Pharmacokinetic data
Excretion Urine (>75%)[1]
CAS number  YesY
ATC code A08
ChemSpider  YesY
Synonyms Diethylpropion
Chemical data
Formula C13H19NO 
Mol. mass 205.30 g/mol

Amfepramone (INN)[note 1] is a stimulant drug of the phenethylamine, amphetamine, and cathinone classes that is used as an appetite suppressant.[2][3] It is used in the short-term management of obesity, along with dietary and lifestyle changes.[2] Amfepramone is most closely chemically related to the antidepressant and smoking cessation aid bupropion (previously called amfebutamone), which has also been developed as a weight-loss medicine when in a combination product with naltrexone.[4]


Amfepramone itself lacks any affinity for the monoamine transporters and instead functions as a prodrug to ethcathinone.[5] Ethcathinone (and therefore amfepramone as well) is a very weak dopaminergic and serotonergic, and is approximately 10x and 20x stronger on norepinephrine in comparison, respectively.[5] As a result, ethcathinone and amfepramone can essentially be considered a member of the class of drugs known as norepinephrine releasing agents (NRAs).


Amfepramone is believed to have relatively low abuse potential.[6][7][8][9] but recently there have been reports of teens and adults in the UK abusing this drug, known as "tombstones" to the abusers.


Amfepramone is classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance in the United States. It is also a Schedule IV controlled substance in Canada. In the UK Amfepramone is a class C drug [10] and as a medicine, it is a Schedule 3 Controlled Drug which requires safe custody. It's not US FDA approved.


  1. Propiophenone is brominated to produce α-bromopropiophenone.
  2. This is reacted with diethylamine to yield the product, diethylpropion.[11][12]

See also


  1. ^ Another medically-utilized name is diethylpropion (BAN and AAN). Chemical names include: α-methyl-β-keto-N,N-diethylphenethylamine, N,N-diethyl-β-ketoamphetamine and N,N-diethylcathinone. Brand names include: Anorex, Linea, Nobesine, Prefamone, Regenon, Tepanil and Tenuate.


  4. ^ Arias, HR; Santamaría, A; Ali, SF (2009). "Pharmacological and neurotoxicological actions mediated by bupropion and diethylpropion.". International Review of Neurobiology 88: 223–55.  
  10. ^ "Class C Drugs". Schedule 2 Controlled Drugs. UK Legislation. 