Benzedrine

Benzedrine is a racemic variant of amphetamine (dl-amphetamine) marketed under this brand in the USA by Smith, Kline and French in inhaler containers from 1928 forth. Benzedrine was used to enlarge nasal and bronchial passages and it is closely related to the substance named Ritalin® (methylphenidate).

Related Topics:
Racemic - Amphetamine - USA - Smith, Kline and French - Inhaler - 1928 - Methylphenidate

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As a side effect, physicians discovered that the amphetamine part of Benzedrine could help in treating narcolepsy. This led to Benzedrine being produced in tablet form as a stimulant. Even though this drug was supposed to be inhaled, many people cracked the containers open and swallowed the paper drenched in Benzedrine that was contained inside, often with coffee or alcohol.

Related Topics:
Narcolepsy - Tablet - Coffee - Alcohol

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In the 1940s and 1950s reports began to emerge about the abuse of Benzedrine containers, and in 1949, doctors began to move patients from Benzedrine to the weaker stimulant propylhexedrine. In 1959, the FDA made it a prescription drug in the United States.

Related Topics:
1940s - 1950s - 1949 - Propylhexedrine - 1959 - FDA

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Benzedrine should not be confused with the fundamentally different substance Benzphetamine.

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