Originally Posted by LocoSnowman
Benzedrex inhalers are sometimes used to obtain the propylhexedrine freebase in the cotton rods they contain, as the propylhexedrine is sometimes used as a recreational drug. The effects of recreational usage are likened by some users to methamphetamine and other stimulant drugs. Among users, propylhexedrine bearing inhaler cottons, preparations or extracts are known colloquially as "Glow".[citation needed]
[edit] Effects
The effects of propylhexedrine are similar to ephedrine or weak methamphetamine and the effects usually vary from person to person. Propylhexedrine has been prescribed orally as an anorectic in Europe as Eventin.[citation needed] Effects include increased sweating, talkativeness, euphoria, pupil dilation, emotional lability, anorexia, tachycardia, palpitations, dry mouth, teeth grinding, anxiety, dysphoria, increased aggressiveness, paranoia, headache, dizziness, slurred or impaired speech, and rarely convulsions, serious heart problems, and psychosis can occur.[citation needed] Withdrawal effects can occur and can include fatigue, depression, suicidal tendencies, extreme desire for sleep, and hunger.
Propylhexedrine has a lower potential of abuse than amphetamines. This is due partially to the fact that propylhexedrine has limited methods of use, unlike more commonly abused stimulants such as amphetamine, methamphetamine, and methylphenidate. Also the fact that the only practical method of ingestion is orally means the inactive ingredients in a Benzedrex inhaler, menthol and lavender oil are also ingested which for most users is reported to be very unpleasant in taste and in smell and once consumed users report "menthol burps", frequent belching releasing the smell of the two and often causing the user discomfort and sometimes nausea. Many drug users find that it has a very heavy comedown compared to the high it causes. The abuse potential is low enough that neither the DEA nor the WHO consider it a drug of concern at the present, unlike ephedrine or its salts which are of concerns as precursor chemical to manufacture of primarily methamphetamine or occasionally amphetamine. That said, propylhexedrine is controlled in some jurisdictions.
[edit] Drug risks
As with similar drugs, using propylhexedrine to keep oneself awake for extended amounts of time can lead to a temporary state of sleep deprivation possibly similar to an amphetamine psychosis during which an individual may experience hallucinations including auditory, visual, and tactile (e.g. bugs crawling on or under the skin), paranoia, irritability, and impaired memory.
Propylhexedrine being a vasocontrictor and being a stimulant causes further risk as blood pressure and heart rate are raised, sometimes severely. Hypertension experienced by users of propylhexedrine can be dangerous, especially in those who have pre-existing blood pressure problems. Also, the increase in heart rate can lead to lower levels of oxygen, discomfort, panic and in severe cases heart attack or serious arrhythmias. Again this risk is higher if the user has existing heart problems. Taking propylhexedrine and MAOIs together can lead to a fatal hypertensive crisis. Also, propylhexedrine ingested along with other stimulants like amphetamines, caffeine, and cocaine can lead to adverse effects, such as serious hypertension and a significant increase in heart rate. It would be wise to avoid ingesting any substance along with propylhexedrine, including all recreational drugs, OTC drugs, prescription drugs, and herbal products, as interactions with proyplhexedrine are largely unknown.
Eating the cotton also has its own risks, and while ingesting cotton is not necessarily fatal, it can still lead to severe gastrointestinal problems, which may require medical attention. Potential problems include cramps, gas, and temporary constipation. More serious problems can include gastric blockages and internal infection. Some users try and reduce this risk by shredding the cotton into multiple pieces and swallowing at intervals. Whether or not this reduces the risk is unknown. One way to avoid bowel blockages is to form an active salt of propylhexedrine and discarding the cotton. Another common, and easy, method of propylhexedrine extraction is soaking the cotton rod in lemon juice, shaking the concoction for a few minutes, then straining the mixture into a glass containing some sort of neutral carbonated beverage, then drinking the liquid solution. This method is very favorable over ingesting the pure cotton.
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