Oxyfedrine
Oxyfedrine, sold under the brand names Ildamen and Myofedrin among others, is a sympathomimetic agent and coronary vasodilator which is used in the treatment of coronary [heart disease], angina pectoris, and acute myocardial infarction. It is taken by mouth or intravenously.
The drug acts as a β-adrenergic receptor partial agonist. It may also act as a norepinephrine releasing agent via its major active metabolite norephedrine. Oxyfedrine is a phenethylamine and amphetamine derivative.
Oxyfedrine has been marketed in Europe, Hong Kong, India, Central America, and elsewhere. It appears to remain marketed only in India.
Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
Oxyfedrine is a β-adrenergic receptor partial agonist. It appears to be non-selective for the β1- and β2-adrenergic receptors. It is selective for the β-adrenergic receptors over the α-adrenergic receptors. However, it has also been reported to interact with the α-adrenergic receptors at high concentrations, acting as a partial agonist or antagonist of these receptors. Norephedrine, a norepinephrine releasing agent, is a major active metabolite of oxyfedrine, and hence oxyfedrine may additionally act as an indirectly acting sympathomimetic.It has been found to depress the tonicity of coronary vessels, improve myocardial metabolism and also exert a positive chronotropic and inotropic effects, thereby not precipitating angina pectoris. The latter property is particularly important, because other vasodilators used in angina may be counter productive causing coronary steal phenomenon.
The drug is chemically and pharmacologically unrelated to any other antianginal drugs.