Abstract

Chlorphentermine reduced food intake in rats, dogs, mice, and in gold thioglucose obese mice. The oral anorectic potencies of chlorphentermine and diethylpropion were in rats about 1/5 and in dogs 1/10 that of d-amphetamine. The acute oral toxicities of chlorphentermine and diethylpropion were 1/8 and 1/15, respectively, that of d-amphetamine. The anorectic response of chlorphentermine in rats was prolonged and without any increase of motor activity while the effects of diethylpropion and d-amphetamine were shorter and accompanied by hyperactivity. All three compounds caused autonomic sympathomimetic side effects at anorectic doses. Chlorphentermine reduced water intake in the rat at doses which produced a prolonged anorectic response.

At anorectic doses chlorphentermine and d-amphetamine increased the sensitivity of rats to quinine as reflected by an increased aversion to the drinking of quinine containing milk. The locomotor activity profile of chlorphentermine as shown with mice in rotating cages was different from that seen with d-amphetamine and diethylpropion; d-amphetamine was stimulant while diethylpropion had no consistent effect. Chlorphentermine did not antagonize chlorpromazine or reserpine depression, while diethylpropion and d-amphetamine induced reversal. Chiorphentermine had no effect on body temperature in rats in contrast to the pyrexic responses caused by d-amphetamine and diethylpropion.

In general, it can be stated chlorphentermine had definite anorectic properties but appeared to possess a lower potential than d-amphetamine or diethylpropion to induce increased spontaneous activity, pyrexic responses or to reverse reserpine or chlorpromazine depression.