Health - Propylhexedrine Vs. Amphetamines: How Do the Health Risks Measure Up?

[Lady Codone]

Hi all! This is my first post to this site, but I've done extensive browsing/search engine using for a couple of weeks now, so hopefully this topic is unique.

Swim just tried Benzedrex for the first time and really enjoyed it. She said there were none of the scary headaches, dizziness, or chest pain at any point, but has read some horror stories about propylhexedrine and its possible health effects. It seems it's chemically similar to other uppers like meth/amphetamine/methylphenidate in its effects and chemical makeup, but she can find no comparison between the health risks of classical amphetamines vs. those of Benzedrex. She realizes the inherent risks associated with stimulant use of any kind (increased BP, tachycardia, etc.), but wants to know just where Benzedrex falls on a scale of 1 to "unjustifiably dangerous."

Also, how does it compare to other stimulants as far as health risks are concerned? More dangerous than meth? About as dangerous as coke? Less dangerous than ephedrine? What can occasional PPX use in a healthy individual be compared to from a medical standpoint? Swim has no clue and tells me she's very concerned.

It also troubles swim that this chemical has been in use for decades and there is STILL a severe lack of information regarding exactly what it does to the cardiovascular system and other body systems and just how big of a danger it poses to occasional users who are healthy, young, and extremely cautious with dosing. Unhealthy people shouldn't use it--DUH. Always start with a small dose--DUH. It raises BP--DUH. All of this is known, but what isn't known is how these risks compare to those of other stimulants, the effects of long-term but occasional use by healthy persons, and many other quantifiers regarding its safety.

Also, how closely related to the horrible stroke-inducing decongestant Phenylpropanolamine is PPX? Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) was sold in OTC cold preparations for years and caused stroke and death in a significant number of otherwise healthy people (some were very young) before being pulled from shelves not too long ago. I know less than nothing about chemistry and such, but if PPX is even remotely similar to PPA, count swim out. Way out.

If anyone can answer any of these questions and provide references to back up their answers, it would greatly relieve my friend's mind. Swim thanks you in advance

[dr. swim]

The truth is, no one really knows for sure.

I'd say that's the biggest thing someone has to worry about when using drugs for which there is little scientific knowledge of long term effects on health.

[Lady Codone]

Yeah...plus the ingestion of menthol seems to be pretty harsh on the throat/stomach. I know it was once prescribed (in the UK?) as a diet aid in doses of 25 mg., and that several people have died from IVing it, but beyond that there's no real info about moderate oral dosing. Unlike some OTC drugs like acetominophen and iron-containing vitamins, the warning on the box doesn't mention death or organ failure, just that "ill effects may result if taken internally". Not that that means anything, but I'd like to hear from someone who's used propyl moderately for 10+ years just to see how their health is.

By "moderately" I mean taking one or two inhalers per month orally in doses not exceeding 250 mg. at one time.