Bupropion is an atypical antidepressant that also has usefulness as a smoking-cessation aid. Because hydroxybupropion, a major metabolite of bupropion, is believed to contribute to its antidepressant activity, this metabolite may also contribute to the smoking-cessation properties of bupropion. Compared to bupropion hydroxybupropion inhibit norepinephrine (NE) uptake with similar potency. The effects of bupropion and enantiomers of hydroxybupropion on human nAChR subtypes indicate that the (2S,3S) isomer is more potent than the (2S,3R) isomer or racemic bupropion as an antagonist of alpha(4)beta(2) subtypes of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). In addition, both isomers of hydroxybupropion possess weaker antagonist activity to the alpha3/beta4 and alpha4/beta4 subtypes of nAChR.

Methiopropamine (MPA) is a structural analog to methamphetamine and is categorized as a novel psychoactive substance that needs to be controlled. MPA appeared in 2011 and is an analog of methamphetamine, sold as, for example, "Slush Eric" and "Blow." It is reported to have effects similar to those of methamphetamine, but the toxicity in humans is not known. Three fatal cases involving MPA have been reported. MPA functions as a selective norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor and displays negligible activity as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Experiments on rodents allowed to suggest that repeated injection of MPA provoked certain neuronal changes involving specific, likely D2, dopamine receptor-mediated pathways that contribute to the expression of MPA-induced locomotor sensitization.

Dimethocaine (DMC, larocaine), a synthetic derivative of cocaine, is a widely distributed "legal high" consumed as a "new psychoactive substance" (NPS), originally was used in the 1930s as an anesthetic, primarily in dentistry, ophthalmology, and otolaryngology. This drug completely inhibits dopamine transporter and has had the potential for abuse. Dimethocaine is intended for forensic and research purposes.

Subitramine is a potent inhibitor of monoamines (serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline) reuptake that was approved by FDA for the treatmen of obesity. Sibutramine is metabolized to metabolites M1 and M2 which are more active toward the monoamine transporters.The drug was withdrawn from the market because of clinical trial data indicating an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. It was sold under a variety of brand names including Reductil, Meridia and Sibutrex.

Phenmetrazine is an anti-obesity drug, which was discovered by Boehringer-Ingelheim in 1952 and approved by FDA under the name Preludin. Later on the drug was withdrawn from the market due to the reported cases of abuse. According to some studies, misuse of phenmetrazine turned many young addicts to crime. It is suggested that the drug exerts its effect by inhibiting the monoamine transport.

4-Methylaminorex is a stimulant drug, synthesized by McNeil Laboratories as an appetite suppressant. Its development was discontinued in favor of aminorex, which was withdrawn from the market when its use was linked with the development of fatal pulmonary hypertension. 4-Methylaminorex exists as four stereoisomers (±)-cis and (±)-trans. In neurochemical and behavioral studies trans-4S,5S-isomer was the most potent isomer followed by the equally effective cis-isomers, whereas trans-4R,5R-isomer was relatively ineffective. The racemic cis-4-methylaminorex has been reported to be the most frequently encountered form in illicit samples The drug is known under street names "U4Euh" or "Ice", is used a a stimulant and is classified as a schedule I substance. Neurochemical data suggest that behavioral effects of the isomers of 4-methylaminorex are related to drug-induced dopamine release.

Nuciferine is an aporphine alkaloid extracted from lotus leaves, which is a raw material in Chinese medicinal herb for weight loss. Nuciferine was studied as an anti-tumor agent against human neuroblastoma and mouse colorectal cancer, through inhibiting the PI3K-AKT signaling pathways and IL-1 levels. In addition, was suggested, that nuciferine had atypical antipsychotic-like actions. Nuciferine was an antagonist at 5-HT2A, 5-HT2C, and 5-HT2B, an inverse agonist at 5-HT7, a partial agonist at D2, D5 and 5-HT6, an agonist at 5-HT1A and D4 receptors, and inhibited the dopamine transporter. In addition, was shown, that that nuciferine had a therapeutic effect on respiratory diseases associated with the aberrant contraction of airway smooth muscles and/or bronchospasm through the blockade of voltage-dependent L-type Ca2+ channels and/or nonselective cation channels.

Budipine is an antiparkinsonian drug, which was developed by Byk Gulden (now Takeda) for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. The drug has multiple mechanisms of action: it was found to interfere with dopamine biosynthesis, mainly by inhibiting MAO-B enzyme and stimulating aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase. Also the drug inhibits the dopamine re-uptake and has weak affinity to NMDA and muscarinic receptors. Budipine passes the blood-brain barrier, is metabolized by hydroxylation, and is excreted by both in urine and feces within 24 h.

Methylphenidate is a CNS stimulant approved for the treatment of narcolepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The drug is believed to bind the dopamine transporter in the presynaptic cell membrane, thereby blocking the reuptake of dopamine and causing an increase in extracellular dopamine levels.

Methylphenidate is a CNS stimulant approved for the treatment of narcolepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The drug is believed to bind the dopamine transporter in the presynaptic cell membrane, thereby blocking the reuptake of dopamine and causing an increase in extracellular dopamine levels.