Ogwu Matthew Chidozie, Malík Matěj, Tlustoš Pavel, Patočka Jiří
Goodnight Family Department of Sustainable Development, Appalachian State University, 212 Living Learning Center, 305 Bodenheimer Drive, Boone, NC 28608, United States.
Department of Agroenvironmental Chemistry and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, Suchdol, Praha 165 00, Czech Republic.
Drug Alcohol Depend Rep. 2025 Mar 1;15:100323. doi: 10.1016/j.dadr.2025.100323. eCollection 2025 Jun.
Fenethylline (street name, captagon) is a synthetic amphetamine-type stimulant that is emerging as a significant public health and security concern, particularly in the Middle East. This systematic review synthesizes original research articles, epidemiological studies, systematic reviews, policy analyses, and case reports to provide a comprehensive analysis of fenethylline's health impacts, addiction potential, and dynamics of illicit trade. Initially developed for therapeutic use, fenethylline illicit production and use have escalated, raising concern about its physiological, psychological, and socio-economic impacts. This stimulant profoundly affects the central nervous system, enhancing wakefulness, concentration, and physical stamina while inducing euphoria. These effects come at the cost of serious adverse health outcomes, particularly with prolonged or heavy use, including cardiovascular complications, neurological damage, and addiction. The dependence-forming nature of captagon contributes to escalating substance use disorders, impacting healthcare systems. Beyond its biomedical implications, fenethylline trafficking has become a global issue, with supply chains deeply intertwined with politically unstable regions where illicit economies thrive. The geopolitical dimensions of captagon's trade amplify its global security threat, influencing international relations and regional stability. This paper underscores the urgent need for systematic data collection and coordinated efforts to regulate illicit fenethylline production and distribution. Strategies such as improved surveillance, public health interventions, and international cooperation are essential to mitigate its escalating risks. Addressing this issue requires a multidisciplinary approach, integrating public health, law enforcement, and policy development to curb its impact on global health and security.
芬乙茶碱（俗称“卡西酮”）是一种合成的苯丙胺类兴奋剂，正成为一个重大的公共卫生与安全问题，尤其是在中东地区。本系统综述综合了原创研究文章、流行病学研究、系统综述、政策分析和病例报告，以全面分析芬乙茶碱对健康的影响、成瘾潜力以及非法贸易动态。芬乙茶碱最初是为治疗用途而研发的，但非法生产和使用不断升级，引发了人们对其生理、心理和社会经济影响的担忧。这种兴奋剂会对中枢神经系统产生深远影响，增强清醒度、注意力和体力，同时引发欣快感。这些影响是以严重的不良健康后果为代价的，尤其是长期或大量使用时，包括心血管并发症、神经损伤和成瘾。卡西酮的成瘾性导致物质使用障碍不断升级，对医疗系统产生影响。除了其生物医学影响外，芬乙茶碱的贩运已成为一个全球性问题，供应链与非法经济蓬勃发展的政治不稳定地区紧密交织。卡西酮贸易的地缘政治层面加剧了其全球安全威胁，影响国际关系和地区稳定。本文强调迫切需要系统的数据收集以及协调一致的努力，以监管芬乙茶碱的非法生产和分销。加强监测、公共卫生干预和国际合作等策略对于降低其不断升级的风险至关重要。解决这个问题需要采取多学科方法，整合公共卫生、执法和政策制定，以遏制其对全球健康和安全的影响。
