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Ephylone
Ephylone is a synthetic cathinone1 with stimulant and entactogenic effects. It was first described by Boehringer Pharmaceuticals in the 1960s1, with its synthesis described in a 1969 patent, but was never marketed. Reports describe effects resembling MDMA and related stimulants, with unusually long-lasting experiences at larger doses. In March 2018, 13 people in New Zealand were hospitalized after mistakenly consuming high doses of ephylone2. Fatal intoxication cases associated with ephylone have also been reported1.
Dosage & Duration
Dosage
Doses are population estimates that vary widely between individuals.
Threshold5 mg
Light10-20 mg
Moderate20-40 mg
Strong40-80 mg
Heavy80+ mg
Duration
Onset15-30 minutes
After Effects6-24 hours
Total4-8 hours
Subjective Effects
Subjective Effects not written up yet
Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
In vitro findings indicate that ephylone acts through potent blockade of DAT and NET, thereby elevating extracellular dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain and periphery3. It also inhibits serotonin reuptake with lower potency3, and may increase serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine levels through monoamine transporter inhibition and possible release from intracellular stores.
Pharmacokinetics
Human pharmacokinetic data are very limited. As a substituted cathinone, ephylone may undergo N-demethylation, reduction of the beta-keto group to a hydroxyl group, and oxidation of ring alkyl groups. The beta-keto group increases polarity and generally limits blood-brain barrier penetration compared with amphetamines.
Metabolitesnone documented yet
Interactions
Interactions not written up yet
An unlisted combination is an unknown one, not a safe one. Check a dedicated combination chart before mixing.
Tolerance
Tolerance timelines are rules of thumb, not exact schedules, and vary widely between individuals and use patterns.
Tolerance to many of ephylone’s effects develops with prolonged, repeated use, leading users to require increasingly large doses to achieve the same effects.
Harm Potential
Addiction & Dependence
Psychological
ModerateAvailable data indicate that ephylone has a high potential for abuse4, and psychological dependence can develop in some users. Established addiction may involve cravings and withdrawal effects after abrupt cessation.
Physical
When addiction has developed, abrupt cessation may produce withdrawal effects.
Toxicity
Ephylone has been identified in toxicological samples associated with fatal and non-fatal overdoses4; the DEA reported approximately 151 ephylone-related deaths in the United States between 2014 and 20184. The exact toxic dosage is unknown, and reports of hospitalizations and overdose deaths indicate extreme toxicity at very high dosages.
Higher doses of ephylone have been linked to rhabdomyolysis and other life-threatening symptoms.
Higher doses of ephylone have been linked to kidney injury.
Higher doses of ephylone have been linked to acidemia.
Ephylone has caused acute health problems leading to emergency department admissions and/or death4.
History & Culture
Development and patent history
Ephylone was developed in the 1960s as a central nervous system stimulant. Boehringer Ingelheim filed the first patent describing its synthesis in 1969, alongside related stimulants including pentylone, butylone, and dibutylone. Its pharmacological properties were not tested, and it was never
Legality
International
Reported as unscheduled in many jurisdictions.
By Country
Illegal4
United StatesIllegalUnder federal law, N-ethylpentylone, also known as ephylone, is listed in Schedule I at 21 C.F.R. § 1308.11(d)(86), with controlled-substance code 7543. The permanent classification has been effective since June 14, 2021. Except as authorized by the Controlled Substances Act and its implementing regulations, possession, manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense, import, and export are unlawful. The listing also covers salts, optical, positional, and geometric isomers, and salts of isomers whenever their existence is possible within the specific chemical designation.
BrazilIllegalPortaria SVS/MS nº 344, de 12 de maio de 1998, Anexo I, Lista F2, updated by Resolução da Diretoria Colegiada Anvisa nº 1.036, de 9 de julho de 2026678910
Ephylone is listed by its exact name N-etilpentilona in Lista F2 of Portaria SVS/MS nº 344, de 12 de maio de 1998, as updated by Resolução da Diretoria Colegiada Anvisa nº 1.036, de 9 de julho de 2026; the schedule also identifies efilona and N-etilnorpentilona as names for the same substance. The listing took effect on 20 March 2017. Brazilian law prohibits its production, manufacture, import, export, commerce, and use, except for activities by authorized bodies and institutions strictly for medical and scientific research; Lei nº 11.343/2006 covers unauthorized acquisition, possession, storage, transport, sale, distribution, delivery, and supply.
GermanyIllegalGesetz über den Verkehr mit Betäubungsmitteln (Betäubungsmittelgesetz — BtMG), Anlage II (zu § 1 Abs. 1)11121314
Ephylone is listed as N-Ethylnorpentylon in Anlage II of the Betäubungsmittelgesetz, which classifies it as eligible for authorized trade but not prescription. Since 21 December 2019, manufacture, trade, import, export, sale, supply, acquisition, and possession are prohibited without the required authorization. Under § 29(1), violations are punishable by imprisonment for up to five years or a fine.
SwitzerlandIllegalVerordnung des EDI vom 30. Mai 2011 über die Verzeichnisse der Betäubungsmittel, psychotropen Stoffe, Vorläuferstoffe und Hilfschemikalien (Betäubungsmittelverzeichnisverordnung, BetmVV-EDI), Anhang 5, Verzeichnis d15161718
Since 1 August 2020, the Betäubungsmittelverzeichnisverordnung has expressly listed N-Ethylnorpentylone (Ephylone) in Verzeichnis d as a prohibited controlled substance. Unauthorized cultivation, manufacture, production, storage, shipment, transport, import, export, sale, supply, placing on the market, possession, acquisition, and consumption are prohibited, although the Federal Office of Public Health may issue exceptional permits for dealings with substances in Verzeichnis d. Unauthorized conduct under Article 19(1) of the Betäubungsmittelgesetz is punishable by imprisonment for up to three years or a monetary penalty, subject to the personal-consumption rules in Articles 19a and 19b. Under Article 19a(1), intentional unauthorized consumption and an Article 19 offense committed for personal consumption are punishable by a fine. Under Article 19b(1), a person is not punishable for preparing only a minor quantity of a narcotic for personal consumption or for giving that quantity without payment to an adult to enable simultaneous joint consumption. Article 19b(2)'s statutory ten-gram minor-quantity rule applies only to cannabis-type narcotics and therefore does not establish an Ephylone threshold.
References
Citations
Article Status
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