LACK OF AMPHETAMINE-LIKE EFFECTS AFTER ADMINISTRATION OF MEFENOREX INNORMAL YOUNG SUBJECTS

Mefenorex is an indirect sympathomimetic amine which acts as an anorec tic drug and is used in combination with low diet to treat excess weig ht. The central nervous system (CNS) effects of mefenorex were assesse d in a randomized, double-blind, three-way cross-over, placebo-control led study involving nine healthy young male volunteers. They received either a single oral dose of mefenorex 80 mg (twice the recommended do se) or d-amphetamine sulfate 18 mg or a placebo at 1-week intervals. C NS pharmacodynamic measurements consisted of subjective evaluation (vi sual analogue scales and the Addiction Research Centre inventory (ARCI )), EEG, psychomotor performance and attention (tracking, simple and c hoice reaction times, tapping, continuous performance task, DSST, body sway) and memory (working memory and recall of a word list). d-Amphet amine produced a typical psychostimulant EEG profile (significant decr ease in slow delta waves and increase in fast beta activities), signif icantly increased amphetamine, benzedrine and morphine-benzedrine scor es of ARCI and significantly decreased body sway compared to placebo a nd mefenorex. A trend in favour of a stimulant effect occurred for all other parameters (particularly speed of reaction) and no changes of m emory were noticed. In contrast, mefenorex did not produce an amphetam ine-like EEG profile, neither significantly changed ARCI scores nor si gnificantly modified psychomotor and memory performance compared to th e placebo, although it induced a decrease in body sway. In conclusion, the present results indicate that a single oral dose of mefenorex, at twice the recommended daily dose, does not possess amphetamine-like s ubjective and EEG stimulant effects or sensations of well-being, often encountered with drugs of abuse liability potential, in a healthy you ng population.