5F-APINACA (also known as A-5F-PINACA, 5F-AKB-48 or 5F-AKB48) is an indazole-based synthetic cannabinoid that has been sold online as a designer drug. Structurally it closely resembles cannabinoid compounds from patent WO 2003/035005 but with a 5-fluoropentyl chain on the indazole 1-position, and 5F-APINACA falls within the claims of this patent, as despite not being disclosed as an example, it is very similar to the corresponding pentanenitrile and 4-chlorobutyl compounds which are claimed as examples 3 and 4.
5F-APINACA was first identified in South Korea. It is expected to be a potent agonist of the CB<sub>1</sub> receptor and CB<sub>2</sub> receptor. Its metabolism has been described in literature.
5F-APINACA acts as a full agonist with a binding affinity of 1.94 nM at CB<sub>1</sub> and 0.266 nM at CB<sub>2</sub> cannabinoid receptors.
In the United States, 5F-APINACA is a Schedule I controlled substance.
5F-APINACA is an Anlage II controlled drug in Germany since July 2013.
As of October 2015, 5F-APINACA is a controlled substance in China.
5F-APINACA is banned in the Czech Republic.