Alphamethylacetylfentanyl
Encyclopedia
α-methylacetylfentanyl is an opioid
analgesic
that is an analogue
of fentanyl.
α-methylacetylfentanyl was sold briefly on the black market in the early 1980s, before the introduction of the Federal Analog Act
which for the first time attempted to control entire families of drugs based on their structural similarity rather than scheduling each drug individually as they appeared. α-methylacetylfentanyl is made with the same synthetic route as α-methylfentanyl
, but by substituting the relatively common acetic anhydride
for the more difficult to obtain chemical propionic anhydride in the synthesis.
α-methylacetylfentanyl has similar effects to fentanyl. Side effects of fentanyl analogues are similar to those of fentanyl itself, which include itching, nausea
and potentially serious respiratory depression which can be life-threatenng.
Opioid
An opioid is a psychoactive chemical that works by binding to opioid receptors, which are found principally in the central and peripheral nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract...
analgesic
Analgesic
An analgesic is any member of the group of drugs used to relieve pain . The word analgesic derives from Greek an- and algos ....
that is an analogue
Analog (chemistry)
In chemistry, a structural analog , also known as chemical analog or simply analog, is a compound having a structure similar to that of another one, but differing from it in respect of a certain component. It can differ in one or more atoms, functional groups, or substructures, which are replaced...
of fentanyl.
α-methylacetylfentanyl was sold briefly on the black market in the early 1980s, before the introduction of the Federal Analog Act
Federal Analog Act
The Federal Analog Act, , is a controversial section of the United States Controlled Substances Act which allowed any chemical "substantially similar" to a controlled substance listed in Schedule I or II to be treated as if it were also listed in those schedules, but only if intended for human...
which for the first time attempted to control entire families of drugs based on their structural similarity rather than scheduling each drug individually as they appeared. α-methylacetylfentanyl is made with the same synthetic route as α-methylfentanyl
Alphamethylfentanyl
α-Methylfentanyl is an opioid analgesic that is an analogue of fentanyl.α-Methylfentanyl was invented in 1976 and appeared on the black market under the name "China White"...
, but by substituting the relatively common acetic anhydride
Acetic anhydride
Acetic anhydride, or ethanoic anhydride, is the chemical compound with the formula 2O. Commonly abbreviated Ac2O, it is the simplest isolatable acid anhydride and is a widely used reagent in organic synthesis...
for the more difficult to obtain chemical propionic anhydride in the synthesis.
α-methylacetylfentanyl has similar effects to fentanyl. Side effects of fentanyl analogues are similar to those of fentanyl itself, which include itching, nausea
Nausea
Nausea , is a sensation of unease and discomfort in the upper stomach with an involuntary urge to vomit. It often, but not always, precedes vomiting...
and potentially serious respiratory depression which can be life-threatenng.