Carphedon
Encyclopedia
Phenotropil is a derivative of the nootropic
drug (R/S)-4-pheyl-2-pyrrolidon. It was developed in Russia
, and a small number of low-scale clinical studies have shown possible links between prescription of carphedon and improvement in a number of encephalopathic
conditions, including lesion
s of cerebral blood pathways, and certain types of glioma
. It is also claimed to increase physical stamina and provide improved tolerance to cold. As a result, it appears on the lists of banned substances issued by the World Anti-Doping Agency
. This list is applicable in all Olympic sports. As of 27 February 2006, the most recent confirmed case of carphedon use by a professional athlete is that of Russian biathlon
Olympic silver medal
ist Olga Pyleva
in the 2006 Winter Olympics
, who was disqualified from attending further events following a positive drug test. She was subsequently banned from competition for two years. It may be noteworthy that Pyleva claims that carphedon was an unlisted ingredient of a Russian medication she was prescribed by her personal doctor (not a team doctor).
In August 2008, Russian steeplechase runner Roman Usov was pulled out of the Beijing Olympics for what media reported was a possible positive test for Carphedon.
A former rider for Gerolsteiner, professional cyclist Danilo Hondo, tested positive to this banned substance in 2005.
While not widely available in the West
, in Russia
it is available as a prescription medicine under the brand name "Phenotropil". Packets of ten 100 mg pills are available for roughly 350 rubles
(2011 price), or about 12 USD. It is typically prescribed as a general stimulant
or to increase tolerance to cold and stress.
Nootropic
Nootropics , also referred to as smart drugs, brain steroids, memory enhancers, cognitive enhancers, and intelligence enhancers, are drugs, supplements, nutraceuticals, and functional foods that improve mental functions such as cognition, memory, intelligence, motivation, attention, and concentration...
drug (R/S)-4-pheyl-2-pyrrolidon. It was developed in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, and a small number of low-scale clinical studies have shown possible links between prescription of carphedon and improvement in a number of encephalopathic
Encephalopathy
Encephalopathy means disorder or disease of the brain. In modern usage, encephalopathy does not refer to a single disease, but rather to a syndrome of global brain dysfunction; this syndrome can be caused by many different illnesses.-Terminology:...
conditions, including lesion
Lesion
A lesion is any abnormality in the tissue of an organism , usually caused by disease or trauma. Lesion is derived from the Latin word laesio which means injury.- Types :...
s of cerebral blood pathways, and certain types of glioma
Glioma
A glioma is a type of tumor that starts in the brain or spine. It is called a glioma because it arises from glial cells. The most common site of gliomas is the brain.-By type of cell:...
. It is also claimed to increase physical stamina and provide improved tolerance to cold. As a result, it appears on the lists of banned substances issued by the World Anti-Doping Agency
World Anti-Doping Agency
The World Anti-Doping Agency , , is an independent foundation created through a collective initiative led by the International Olympic Committee . It was set up on November 10, 1999 in Lausanne, Switzerland, as a result of what was called the "Declaration of Lausanne", to promote, coordinate and...
. This list is applicable in all Olympic sports. As of 27 February 2006, the most recent confirmed case of carphedon use by a professional athlete is that of Russian biathlon
Biathlon
Biathlon is a term used to describe any sporting event made up of two disciplines. However, biathlon usually refers specifically to the winter sport that combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting...
Olympic silver medal
Silver medal
A silver medal is a medal awarded to the second place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and contests with similar formats....
ist Olga Pyleva
Olga Pyleva
Olga Valeryevna Medvedtseva , former Pyleva , née Zamorozova , is a retired Russian biathlete....
in the 2006 Winter Olympics
2006 Winter Olympics
The 2006 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XX Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in Turin, Italy from February 10, 2006, through February 26, 2006. This marked the second time Italy hosted the Olympic Winter Games, the first being the VII Olympic Winter...
, who was disqualified from attending further events following a positive drug test. She was subsequently banned from competition for two years. It may be noteworthy that Pyleva claims that carphedon was an unlisted ingredient of a Russian medication she was prescribed by her personal doctor (not a team doctor).
In August 2008, Russian steeplechase runner Roman Usov was pulled out of the Beijing Olympics for what media reported was a possible positive test for Carphedon.
A former rider for Gerolsteiner, professional cyclist Danilo Hondo, tested positive to this banned substance in 2005.
While not widely available in the West
Western world
The Western world, also known as the West and the Occident , is a term referring to the countries of Western Europe , the countries of the Americas, as well all countries of Northern and Central Europe, Australia and New Zealand...
, in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
it is available as a prescription medicine under the brand name "Phenotropil". Packets of ten 100 mg pills are available for roughly 350 rubles
Russian ruble
The ruble or rouble is the currency of the Russian Federation and the two partially recognized republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Formerly, the ruble was also the currency of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union prior to their breakups. Belarus and Transnistria also use currencies with...
(2011 price), or about 12 USD. It is typically prescribed as a general stimulant
Stimulant
Stimulants are psychoactive drugs which induce temporary improvements in either mental or physical function or both. Examples of these kinds of effects may include enhanced alertness, wakefulness, and locomotion, among others...
or to increase tolerance to cold and stress.
External links
- "Super Speed" from Vice Magazine's Russian issue
- *An interview with Danilo Hondo, 15-Jun-06* from Cyclingnews