Mephentermine
Mephentermine, sold under the brand name Wyamine among others, is a sympathomimetic medication which was previously used in the treatment of low blood pressure but is mostly no longer marketed. It is used by injection into a vein or muscle, by inhalation, and by mouth.
Side effects of mephentermine include dry mouth, sedation, reflex bradycardia, arrhythmias, and hypertension. Mephentermine induces the release of norepinephrine and dopamine and is described as an indirectly acting sympathomimetic and psychostimulant. Its sympathomimetic effects are mediated by indirect activation of α- and β-adrenergic receptors. Chemically, it is a substituted phenethylamine and amphetamine and is closely related to phentermine and methamphetamine.
Mephentermine was first described and introduced for medical use by 1952. It was discontinued in the United States between 2000 and 2004. The medication appears to remain available only in India. Misuse of mephentermine for recreational and performance-enhancing purposes has been increasingly encountered in modern times, especially in India.
Medical uses
For maintenance of blood pressure in hypotensive states, the dose for adults is 30 to 45mg as a single dose, repeated as necessary or followed by intravenous infusion of 0.1% mephentermine in 5% dextrose, with the rate and duration of administration depending on the patient's response.For hypotension secondary to spinal anesthesia in obstetric patients, the dose for adults is 15mg as a single dose, repeated if needed. The maximum dose 30mg.
Mephentermine has also been used as a decongestant.
Available forms
Mephentermine is available in the form of 15 and 30mg/mL solutions for intravenous infusion or intramuscular injection and in the form of 10mg oral tablets. It has also been available in the form of inhalers.Contraindications
Low blood pressure caused by phenothiazines, hypertension, and pheochromocytoma.Patients receiving monoamine oxidase inhibitors.
For shock due to loss of blood or fluid, give fluid replacement therapy primarily, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, chronic illnesses, lactation, pregnancy, skin dryness. headache.
Side effects
The most common side effects of mephentermine are drowsiness, incoherence, hallucinations, convulsions, slow heart rate. Fear, anxiety, restlessness, tremor, insomnia, confusion, irritability, and psychosis. Nausea, vomiting, reduced appetite, urinary retention, dyspnea, weakness, and neck pain.Potentially fatal reactions are due to atrioventricular block, central nervous system stimulation, cerebral hemorrhage, pulmonary edema, and ventricular arrhythmias.
Interactions
Mephentermine antagonizes effect of agents that lower blood pressure. Severe hypertension may occur with monoamine oxidase inhibitors and possibly tricyclic antidepressants. Additive vasoconstricting effects occur with ergot alkaloids, and oxytocin.Potentially fatal drug interactions are the risk of abnormal heart rhythm in people undergoing anesthesia with cyclopropane and halothane.
Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
Mephentermine is thought to act as a norepinephrine–dopamine releasing agent. It is described as an indirectly acting sympathomimetic, cardiac stimulant, adrenergic, vasoconstrictor, antihypotensive agent, and psychostimulant. Its sympathomimetic effects are mediated by indirect activation of α- and β-adrenergic receptors.Mephentermine appears to act by indirect stimulation of β-adrenergic receptors through causing the release of norepinephrine from its storage sites. It has a positive inotropic effect on the myocardium. AV conduction and refractory period of AV node is shortened with an increase in ventricular conduction velocity. It dilates arteries and arterioles in the skeletal muscle and mesenteric vascular beds, leading to an increase in venous return.
Pharmacokinetics
Its onset of action is 5 to 15minutes with intramuscular injection and is immediate with intravenous administration. Its duration of action is 4hours with intramuscular injection and 30minutes with intravenous administration.Mephentermine, along with phentermine, is known to be produced as a metabolite of the orally administered local anesthetic oxetacaine.
Chemistry
Mephentermine, also known as N,α,α-trimethylphenethylamine or N,α-dimethylampetamine, is a phenethylamine and amphetamine derivative. It is the N-methylated analogue of phentermine and is also known as N-methylphentermine. In addition, mephentermine is the α-methylated analogue of methamphetamine or the N,α-dimethylated derivative of amphetamine. The cathinone derivative of mephentermine is α-methylmethcathinone.Synthesis
Mephentermine can by synthesized beginning with a Henry reaction between benzaldehyde and 2-nitropropane to give 2-methyl-2-nitro-1-phenylpropan-1-ol. The nitro group is reduced with zinc in sulfuric acid giving 2-phenyl-1,1-dimethylethanolamine. Imine formation by dehydration with benzaldehyde gives. Alkylation with iodomethane leads to. Halogenation with thionyl chloride gives. Lastly, a Rosenmund reduction completes the synthesis of mephentermine.Mephentermine can also be synthesized by condensation of phentermine with benzaldehyde to get a Schiff base which can be alkylated with methyl iodide to give mephentermine.