Phenylpiracetam

Phenotropil

Systematic (IUPAC) name
(RS)-2-(2-oxo-4-phenylpyrrolidin-1-yl)acetamide
Clinical data
Pregnancy cat.	Unknown
Legal status	Legal
Routes	Oral
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	~100 %
Metabolism	None
Half-life	3-5 hours
Excretion	Urine ~40% bile and perspiration ~60%
Identifiers
CAS number	77472-70-9 Y
ATC code	None
PubChem	CID 132441
Chemical data
Formula	C12H14N2O2
Mol. mass	218.3 g/mol
SMILES	eMolecules & PubChem
Y(what is this?)  (verify)

Phenotropil (C₁₂H₁₄N₂O₂, 2-(4-phenyl-2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)acetamide) 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 lesions 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 medalist 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. Also it is often used by students, especially medics, for preparing for exams.

See also

• dipyrrolidinyl

External links

• "Super Speed" from Vice Magazine's Russian issue
• *An interview with Danilo Hondo, 15-Jun-06* from Cyclingnews

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