What exactly is Captagon and why was it banned?
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on April 7, 2025.
Captagon was first manufactured in 1961 as an alternative to amphetamine and methamphetamine used at the time to treat narcolepsy, fatigue, and the behavioral disorder "minimal brain dysfunction". Dexamphetamine was already being used by the military to enable soldiers to stay awake for long periods of time and to "enhance courage and bravado". Captagon was supposed to be a milder version of these medicines. But by the 1980's the U.S. government declared it a controlled substance with no currently accepted medical use. Manufacturing of the drug ceased in the 1980's.
However, illegal manufacture has continued, and has recently escalated in the past few years in Europe and the Middle East. Some sources suggest Captagon is one of the more popular recreational drugs among affluent youth in the Middle East.
No doubt the "Captagon" used by ISIS or ISI, and other extremist groups, to enhance their soldiers abilities today is far removed from the Captagon of the eighties. Instead of just two main ingredients, illegal manufacturing likely combines several highly addictive stimulants with compounding actions into one destructive little pill. This "new age" Captagon, as with any highly addictive substance, is likely to cause irreversible changes in brain circuitry that govern impulse control and judgement, taking away a person's ability to reason or think rationally.
Captagon has been touted by media as "The Amphetamine Fueling Syria's War" or "The Jihadists' Drug".
Read next
Adderall vs Vyvanse - What's the difference between them?
The main difference between Adderall and Vyvanse is that Adderall is a mixture of four different kinds of amphetamine salts (one of which is dextroamphetamine) while Vyvanse only contains one type of amphetamine salt, called lisdexamfetamine. Lisdexamfetamine gets converted into dexamphetamine once it is in the body. One advantage of Vyvanse is that it may be less likely to be abused; although it is usually more expensive than Adderall, although both have cheaper generic forms available. Because both drugs contain amphetamines, they work in a similar way. Studies have shown that Vyvanse is just as effective as Adderall, and side effects, including the risk of dependence, are similar. Continue reading
How far back does a hair follicle test detect drugs?
Most hair drug tests can detect heavy or regular use of certain illicit substances over the past three months. Continue reading
'Black Beauties' capsules in the 1970's - What drug was that?
"Black Beauties" was the street name for a combination amphetamine capsule/tablet containing 10mg of amphetamine and 10mg of dextroamphetamine. The trade name of Black Beauties was Biphetamine 20. Continue reading
See also:
Aimovig
Learn about Aimovig (erenumab-aooe) a once-monthly, injectable medication that can be ...
Botox
Botox is used cosmetically to reduce facial lines and wrinkles and for medical purposes for ...
Xywav
Xywav is used for the treatment of cataplexy and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in patients ...
Nurtec ODT
Nurtec ODT (rimegepant) is used to treat acute migraines and prevent episodic migraines, by ...
Depakote
Depakote is used to treat various types of seizure disorders. Learn about side effects ...
Topamax
Topamax (topiramate) is used to prevent seizures in adults and children and to prevent migraine ...
Emgality
Emgality (galcanezumab-gnlm) is a CGRP antagonist for the preventive treatment of migraine and for ...
Timolol
Timolol is used for angina, heart attack, high blood pressure, migraine, migraine prevention
Valproic acid
Valproic acid is used for bipolar disorder, cluster-tic syndrome, epilepsy, headache ...
Divalproex sodium
Divalproex sodium is used for bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, cyclothymic ...
Related medical questions
- What drugs cause dilated pupils​?
- How is Adzenys ER different to other brands of amphetamine?
- Concerta vs Adderall - What's the difference between them?
- What medications can cause a false positive for methamphetamines?
- What are the side effects of Molly?
- Which medications make you sleepy?
- How long does amlodipine stay in your system?
- Does Lyrica (pregabalin) make you sleepy?
- Modafinil: Smart Drug For Decision Fatigue Or Workaholic Crutch?
- Does Bactrim make you tired?
- How do I treat Hypothyroidism?
- What's the buzz on Ozempic and Wegovy?
- Does Aubagio help with fatigue?
- What OTC drugs relieve tripledemic symptoms in kids?
- Atrial Fibrillation: The most Commonly Occurring Heartbeat Problem
- Making Sense of PMS
- Can you have narcolepsy and insomnia?
- What is the difference between narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia?
- What are the early signs of narcolepsy?
- What is the treatment for narcolepsy?
- How do you test for narcolepsy?
- How should Adderall make you feel, with or without ADHD?
- Modafinil (Provigil) vs Adderall: What's the difference?
- How long does Adderall withdrawal last?
- Focalin vs Adderall: What's the difference?
- Ritalin vs Vyvanse - What's the difference between them?
- What are the brands of methylphenidate?
- How long does it take for Provigil (modafinil) to work?
- Can you take Adderall while pregnant?
- Nuvigil (armodafinil) vs Provigil (modafinil): How do they compare?
Drug information
Related support groups
- Amphetamine (93 questions, 395 members)
- Methamphetamine (56 questions, 325 members)
- Fatigue (175 questions, 656 members)
- Narcolepsy (90 questions, 409 members)
- Drug Psychosis (2 questions, 17 members)