Stimulants
Propylhexedrine (Benzedrex Inhaler)
Street names: Benzedrex, Propylhexedrine, The OTC stimulant, Cottons
Overdose? Act now. Call emergency services — say "unresponsive, not breathing". Give naloxone for opioid-like signs. Hotlines
⚡What it does
- The legal OTC speed: levamphetamine-like stimulation 4–8 h from a $5 inhaler — big in r/stims and OTC-abuse communities
⚠Key risks
- THE COTTON PROBLEM: swallowing the cotton risks intestinal blockage (documented surgeries) — extraction is the practiced method, but it's still a chemistry experiment on yourself
- Vasoconstriction, hypertension, racing heart
- Psychosis with multi-day binges; the comedown is famously brutal
- Cheap, legal, everywhere — the accessibility spiral
- Hypertensive crisis with MAOIs or other stims
✚Overdose signs
- Racing irregular heart, chest pain
- Severe agitation, paranoia
- Hyperthermia
📋Quick facts
Also known asBenzedrex, Propylhexedrine, The OTC stimulant, Cottons
CategoryStimulants
Schedule / classOTC — unscheduled US; behind-counter some states
AppearanceNasal inhaler rods with a soaked cotton inside; users soak/extract the cotton for an oral dose
Street price$4–$7 per inhaler
Legal statusOTC US; purchase limits spreading; extraction/intent gray zone
Last updated2026-09-18
Sources: FDA, poison-control, case literature
Category comparison — Stimulants
| Substance | Class | Top risks | Street price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Propylhexedrine (Benzedrex Inhaler) | OTC — unscheduled US; behind-counter some states | THE COTTON PROBLEM: swallowing the cotton risks intestinal blockage (documented surgeries) — extraction is the practiced method, but it's still a chemistry experiment on yourself; Vasoconstriction, hypertension, racing heart | $4–$7 per inhaler |
| Adderall (amphetamine salts) | Schedule II | Dependence and tolerance; Cardiovascular strain | ~$3–$15 per 30 mg tablet |
| Adderall (Study Drug Abuse) | Schedule II | Dependence and tolerance — study-drug use escalates; Cardiovascular strain; rare sudden death in users with heart conditions | $3–$15 per 30 mg tablet |
| Ephedrine | Not scheduled | Heart palpitations, blood pressure spikes; Stroke at high doses | ~$0.50–$3 per tablet |
Street prices are regional estimates. Potency and cuts vary constantly.
?Frequently asked questions
What does Propylhexedrine (Benzedrex Inhaler) look like?
Nasal inhaler rods with a soaked cotton inside; users soak/extract the cotton for an oral dose
What are the signs of a Propylhexedrine (Benzedrex Inhaler) overdose?
Racing irregular heart, chest pain; Severe agitation, paranoia; Hyperthermia Call emergency services immediately.
How addictive is it?
THE COTTON PROBLEM: swallowing the cotton risks intestinal blockage (documented surgeries) — extraction is the practiced method, but it's still a chemistry experiment on yourself Dependence can develop with regular use.
🔗Sources & further reading
Facts on this page are compiled from these primary sources. External links open in a new tab.