Pharmacology
DrugBankDescription
Propylhexedrine is an alpha-adrenergic agonist often used in nasal decongestant inhalers. It is used to give temporary relief for nasal congestion from colds, allergic rhinitis, or allergies.
Mechanism of Action
Propylhexidrine causes the norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin (5HT) transporters to reverse their direction of flow. This inversion leads to a release of these transmitters from the vesicles to the cytoplasm and from the cytoplasm to the synapse. It also antagonizes the action of VMAT2, causing the release of more neurotransmitters.
Pharmacodynamics
Like other monoamine releasing stimulants propylhexedrine is active as a norepinephrine and dopamine releaser in the central nervous system. The acute effects of the drug closely resemble the physiological and psychological effects of an epinephrine-provoked fight-or-flight response, including increased heart rate and blood pressure, vasoconstriction (constriction of the arterial walls), bronchodilation, and hyperglycemia (increased blood sugar).
Toxicity
The signs and symptoms that are produced after the acute overdosage of Propylhexidrine include Psychosis, Burning sensation.
Indication
It is used to provide temporary symptomatic relief of nasal congestion due to colds, allergies and allergic rhinitis.
Receptor Profile
Receptor Actions
Receptor Binding
Effect Profile
Curated + 78 ReportsStrong stimulation, euphoria, focus, and anxiety/jitters
Tolerance & Pharmacokinetics
drugs.wikiTolerance Decay
Cross-Tolerances
Demographics
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Reports Over Time
Effect Analysis
Erowid + BluelightEffects aggregated from 78 experience reports (31 Erowid + 47 Bluelight)
Effect Sentiment Distribution
Confidence Distribution
Positive Effects 46
Adverse Effects 56
Dosage Distribution
Dose distribution from experience reports
Real-World Dose Distribution
62K DosesFrom 51 individual dose entries
Oral (n=45)
Form / Preparation
Most common forms and preparations reported
Body-Weight Dosing
Dose relative to body weight from reports with weight data
Redose Patterns
Redosing behavior across 15 reports
Legal Status
| Country | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Propylhexedrine is an S4 substance in Australia. | |
| Brazil | Propylhexedrine is a Class B1 substance in Brazil. | |
| Canada | Propylhexedrine was long reported to be a Schedule V substance in Canada. | In 2022, this status changed and propylhexedrine has since been removed from control under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. |
| Germany | Propylhexedrine is regulated as a prescription medicine in Germany. | Initially, propylhexedrine products were available over-the-counter. However, this changed in the 1970s and propylhexedrine is now regulated as a prescription product in Germany. |
| Switzerland | Propylhexedrine is not controlled under Buchstabe A, B, C and D. | It is sporadically used medicinally. |
| United Kingdom | Propylhexedrine was formerly a Class C substance in the United Kingdom, but was deregulated in 1995. | Propylhexedrine was used recreationally during a brief period in the 1970s after increased government regulation on earlier decongestants. |
| United States | On the 4th of April 1988, propylhexedrine was designated a controlled substance (Schedule V) in the United States. | This was done to satisfy U.S. compliance with an international treaty. However, in 1991, this action was reversed and propylhexedrine was removed from control under the Controlled Substances Act. This was based on the opinion of the Drug Enforcement Administration that propylhexedrine did not warrant control. The substance has remained unregulated under the Controlled Substances Act in the United States ever since. Furthermore, pursuant to DEA regulations, certain Benzedrex inhalers are specifically exempt from the Controlled Substances Act. Propylhexedrine remains regulated under the laws of several U.S. states. These states include the states of Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, and Rhode Island. |