Propylhexdrine

Abstract

Propylhexedrine, a sympathomimetic with varied medicinal uses, is one of the compounds to be reviewed by the Expert Committee convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) to determine whether the compound should be scheduled under the Convention on Psychotropic Substances. This paper reviews the pharmacology, medicinal uses, toxicity and abuse-potential of propylhexedrine, with special emphasis on toxicity and abuse potential. The primary medicinal use of propylhexedrine is temporary symptomatic relief of nasal decongestion due to colds, allergies and allergic rhinitis. When used as a nasal inhaler for this indication, propylhexedrine reduces nasal airway resistance without producing rebound congestion. Abuse does not occur by nasal inhalation; however, a small amount of abuse of the propylhexedrine containing nasal inhalers occurs by oral ingestion of the contents of the inhaler or by intravenous injection. Propylhexedrine is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant of low abuse potential, a stimulant of low preference for stimulant abusers compared with amphetamine, methylphenidate, phenmetrazine.