Abstract: Compounds of the structure ##STR1## wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl radicals of 1-6 carbon atoms, the phenyl radical, and the benzyl radical; and wherein R' is selected from the group consisting of the phthalimido radical and the succinimido radical and of the structure ##STR2## wherein X is CH.sub.2 or C.dbd.O; R" is H, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3, --C.sub.6 H.sub.5, --CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5, --CH.sub.2 CH.dbd.CH.sub.2, or ##STR3## and hydrolysis products of said compounds wherein R" is H and the piperidino ring or both the piperidino and the imido ring are hydrolyzed are useful for the control of abnormal concentrations of TNF .alpha. manifested in septic shock, cachexia and HIV infection without substantially effecting the concentration of other cytokines.