Pipradrol is now an obscure compound that is virtually unknown as an illicit drug of abuse, but is still used for some scientific research, often as a comparison drug for testing other stimulants against.

Pipradrol (Meratran) was initially developed in the 1950s as an antidepressant, however, the adverse effects associated with its use and its abuse potential led to its withdrawal and international regulation. Pipradrol was made illegal in many countries in 1970s because of its potential for abuse. It is currently classified under the Misuse of Drugs Act as a Class C substance.

Experimentation with the drug and its derivatives for recreational purposes has led to many cases of acute toxicity and has been linked to three fatalities. The social and in particular acute clinical harms of pipradrol derivatives have led to their control under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 in the UK in 2012.

Interestingly, this drug has been studied for bactericidal properties, however, is not currently, used for this purpose In addition to this, it has shown favorable effects in postpartum depressive symptoms.

Overdose:
Overdoses of pipradrol hydrochloride cause nausea, anxiety, insomnia and abdominal pain, however, these symptoms often disappear when the drug is withdrawn. In severe cases, convulsions may occur. This drug is contraindicated in anxiety, psychosis states, and schizophrenia, as it can worsen these symptoms. Hallucinations have been reported after taking this drug.

Pipradrol:
https://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB11584

• Pipradrol (Meratran) is a psychoactive agent and a central nervous system stimulant useful in the field of psychiatry. In vitro study has shown that pipradrol inhibits the reuptake of and stimulates the release of dopamine and norepinephrine. In these pharmacodynamic actions it is less potent than d-amphetamine.
• Pipradrol was initially used as an adjunct in the dietary management of obesity as well as for the treatment of dementia. There have been a number of reports on the properties of pipradrol showing its favorable effects in the treatment of depression and fatigue status as well as a variety of other conditions including narcolepsy, spasmodic torticollis, schizophrenia and in geriatric practice.
• Pipradrol has a definite cerebral stimulating effect without affecting the blood pressure or respiration and has been used to counteract post-anasthetic and chlorpromazine depression in man.
• Pipradrol differs from amphetamine in that its action is more intense at higher centres, it lacks pressor activity, there is no post-excitement depression, and it does not depress the desire for food as occurs with amphetamine.
• The drug however is enhancing the existing pathologic behavior such as exacerbating pre-existing anxiety and is considered the drug of abuse.

  Indications:
  Indications are schizophrenics without delusions having restriction of interest and activity and with depressant features, psycho-motor retardation and/or blocking of communication, long-term hospitalized schizophrenics with severe deterioration while contraindications are patients with delusions, anxiety, disturbed patients with cerebral arteriosclerosis.

• The combination of pipradrol with multivitamins and minerals marketed as Alertonic Elixir is used as adjunctive therapy in combating fatigue resulting from emotional or nutritional causes.

Pipradrol Hydrochloride:
https://drugs.ncats.io/drug/F6E46VR9Y2

Journal of Mental Science, Volume 102, Issue 429, October 1956:
Meratran (alpha-2-piperidyl benzhydrol hydrochloride) is a cerebral stimulant with an action not unlike the amphetamine series but differing in other respects in that it does not interfere with sleep, nor appetite, nor is its use followed by depression. It is not apparently a sympathomimetic drug, since it does not cause any marked cardiovascular pressor effects. Recent reports from America (1) have suggested that the drug is of use in treating patients suffering from depression and psychomotor retardation either due to mental illness, fatigue or a side-effect of other drugs, e.g. chlorpromazine or reserpine.

Psychiatric Uses of Meratran:
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-mental-science/article/abs/psychiatric-uses-of-meratran/3E82BB0C7B9BAF79D98065ECD971ECCB

Pipradrol is a mild stimulant containing a piperidine ring. Once used as a treatment for obesity and dementia, pipradrol is now regulated as a Schedule IV compound in the United States.

Pipradrol (hydrochloride) Safety Data Sheet (PDF 5 pages):
https://www.caymanchem.com/msdss/14783m.pdf

Synonyms:

• Pipradrol Hydrochloride
• Pipradrol HCl
• Pipradrol
• Pipradol
• Pipralon
• Piridrol
• Pyridrol
• Pyridrole

Pipradrol:
https://drugcentral.org/drugcard/2195

• A mild central nervous system stimulant
• Developed in the 1940s
• Initially Used for treating obesity.
• Subsequently used for the treatment of a variety of other conditions such as narcolepsy, ADHD, and most particularly for counteracting the symptoms of senile dementia, this being the only application for which it is still used medically.

  Pipradrol proved useful for these applications as its relatively mild stimulant effects gave it a good safety profile compared to stronger stimulants.

• No longer widely used in most countries due to concerns about its abuse potential.

  Pipradrol is still used in some European countries, and even in the United States, albeit rarely.

• Pipradrol was made illegal in many countries in the late 1970s, at the same time as many other drugs which had a history of abuse.

  The relatively mild stimulant effects of pipradrol meant that it was scheduled under the less restrictive classes in most countries but was still considered of sufficient abuse potential to be made an illegal drug.

• Dosage is between 0.5 and 4 milligrams per day
• The long duration of effects of pipradrol (up to 12 hours) means insomnia can be a problem
• Common side effects include:
  • Insomnia
  • Anorexia
  • Tachycardia
  • Anxiety
• Rarer side effects include:
  • Dry mouth
  • Tremor
  • Hypertension
  • Euphoria
  • Depression
• Very rarely:
  • Psychosis
  • Convulsions

Pipradrol is now an obscure compound that is virtually unknown as an illicit drug of abuse, but is still used for some scientific research, often as a comparison drug for testing other stimulants against.