Fenethylline

Not to be confused with Phenethylene (Styrene).

Fenethylline
INN: Fenetylline
Skeletal formula
Space-filling model of the captagon molecule
Clinical data
AHFS/Drugs.comInternational Drug Names
Routes of
administration		Oral
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
Identifiers
  • (RS)-1,3-dimethyl- 7-[2-(1-phenylpropan-2-ylamino)ethyl]purine- 2,6-dione
CAS Number
PubChem CID
DrugBank
ChemSpider
UNII
KEGG
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
ECHA InfoCard100.115.827 Edit this at Wikidata
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC18H23N5O2
Molar mass341.415 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
ChiralityRacemic mixture
  • O=C2N(c1ncn(c1C(=O)N2C)CCNC(C)Cc3ccccc3)C
  • InChI=1S/C18H23N5O2/c1-13(11-14-7-5-4-6-8-14)19-9-10-23-12-20-16-15(23)17(24)22(3)18(25)21(16)2/h4-8,12-13,19H,9-11H2,1-3H3 checkY
  • Key:NMCHYWGKBADVMK-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
 ☒NcheckY (what is this?)  (verify)

Fenethylline (BAN, USAN) or fenetylline (INN) is a codrug of amphetamine and theophylline and so a mutual prodrug of both. It is also spelled phenethylline; other names for it are amphetamin​oethyl​theophylline and amfetyline. The drug was marketed for use as a psychostimulant under the brand names Captagon, Biocapton, and Fitton.[2][3] It is now illegal in most countries and is produced primarily for illicit use. Syria is considered to be the world's largest producer of the drug, accounting for about 80% of the global supply.[4][5] The global market for the drug is worth approximately $5.7 billion (USD).[6]

  1. ^ Anvisa (31 March 2023). "RDC Nº 784 - Listas de Substâncias Entorpecentes, Psicotrópicas, Precursoras e Outras sob Controle Especial" [Collegiate Board Resolution No. 784 - Lists of Narcotic, Psychotropic, Precursor, and Other Substances under Special Control] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Diário Oficial da União (published 4 April 2023). Archived from the original on 3 August 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  2. ^ Dictionary of Organic Compounds. CRC Press. 1996. pp. 3140–. ISBN 978-0-412-54090-5.
  3. ^ Index Nominum 2000: International Drug Directory. Taylor & Francis. 2000. pp. 431–. ISBN 978-3-88763-075-1.
  4. ^ Alkhaldi C (11 April 2023). "A little-known drug brought billions to Syria's coffers. Now it's a bargaining chip". CNN. Archived from the original on 17 May 2023.
  5. ^ "What is Captagon, the addictive drug mass-produced in Syria?". Al Jazeera News. 9 May 2023. Archived from the original on 5 June 2023.
  6. ^ Rasmussen S (28 October 2024). "The Middle East Drug Fueling War, Crime and All-Night Parties". The Wall Street Journal.