Fencamfamine

Fencamfamine (Glucoenergan, Reactivan) is a stimulant which was developed by Merck in the 1960s.

Medical uses

Fencamfamine is still used, though rarely, for treating depressive day-time fatigue, lack of concentration and lethargy, particularly in individuals who have chronic medical conditions, as its favourable safety profile makes it the most suitable drug in some cases.

Adverse effects

Fencamfamine is well tolerated and causes minimal circulatory effects. Extended use may result in a dryness of the mouth.

Contraindications

Not to be used with heart diseases, angina pectoris and decompensated cardiac insufficiency, glaucoma, hyper-excitability and thyrotoxicosis or while treated with monoamine oxidase inhibitors.

Overdose

Symptoms of overdose are nausea, agitation and restlessness, dryness of the mouth, dizziness and tremor. In gross overdosage also associated with dyspnoea, tachycardia, disorientation and convulsions.

Research

In a study on slices of rat corpus striatum and substantia nigra fencamfamine acted as an indirect dopamine agonist. It released dopamine by a similar mechanism to amphetamines, but was ten times less potent than dexamphetamine at producing this effect. The main mechanism of action was instead inhibition of dopamine reuptake. Also unlike amphetamines, fencamfamine does not inhibit the action of monoamine oxidase enzymes. It was concluded that, at least in the models employed, the in vitro profile of fencamfamine is more similar to that of nomifensine, a reportedly pure uptake inhibitor, than to d-amphetamine.