Mephentermine
A sympathomimetic agent used as a cardiac stimulant and vasopressor
Mephentermine is a sympathomimetic agent primarily used as a cardiac stimulant and vasopressor. It is known for its ability to increase blood pressure by stimulating the release of norepinephrine from adrenergic nerve endings. Mephentermine is often used in the management of hypotension during anesthesia and surgical procedures.
Pharmacology[edit | edit source]
Mephentermine acts as an indirect sympathomimetic by promoting the release of norepinephrine, which in turn stimulates alpha-adrenergic receptors leading to vasoconstriction and increased blood pressure. It also has some direct action on beta-adrenergic receptors, which can increase cardiac output.
Medical Uses[edit | edit source]
Mephentermine is primarily used to treat hypotension that occurs during anesthesia. It is administered intravenously or intramuscularly to rapidly increase blood pressure. The drug is also used in some cases to treat orthostatic hypotension.
Side Effects[edit | edit source]
Common side effects of mephentermine include tachycardia, palpitations, headache, and nausea. In some cases, it can cause anxiety and tremors. Due to its sympathomimetic effects, it may also lead to hypertension if not properly monitored.
Synthesis[edit | edit source]
The synthesis of mephentermine involves the reaction of phenylacetone with methylamine in the presence of a reducing agent. This process results in the formation of the secondary amine structure characteristic of mephentermine.
Chemical Structure[edit | edit source]
Mephentermine is a phenethylamine derivative with a chemical structure similar to that of amphetamine. It contains a phenyl ring bonded to an ethylamine chain, with a methyl group attached to the nitrogen atom.
Related Compounds[edit | edit source]
Mephentermine is related to other phenethylamines and amphetamine derivatives. It shares structural similarities with methamphetamine and amphetamine, but its pharmacological effects are distinct due to its specific action on adrenergic receptors.
Regulation and Legal Status[edit | edit source]
The legal status of mephentermine varies by country. In some regions, it is classified as a controlled substance due to its potential for abuse and its stimulant properties. It is important for healthcare providers to be aware of the regulations governing its use in their respective jurisdictions.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD