Etanautine, also known as diphenhydramine monoacefyllinate, is an

anticholinergic Anticholinergics (anticholinergic agents) are substances that block the action of the neurotransmitter called acetylcholine (ACh) at synapses in the central and peripheral nervous system. These agents inhibit the parasympathetic nervous sys ...

used as an

antiparkinsonian In the management of Parkinson's disease, due to the chronic nature of Parkinson's disease (PD), a broad-based program is needed that includes patient and family education, support-group services, general wellness maintenance, exercise, and nutri ...

agent. It is a 1:1 salt of

diphenhydramine Diphenhydramine (DPH) is an antihistamine and sedative mainly used to treat allergies, insomnia, and symptoms of the common cold. It is also less commonly used for tremor in parkinsonism, and nausea. It is taken by mouth, injected into ...

with

acefylline Acefylline (INN), also known as acetyloxytheophylline, is a stimulant drug of the xanthine chemical class. It acts as an adenosine receptor antagonist. It is combined with diphenhydramine in the pharmaceutical preparation etanautine to help ...

, similar to the diphenhydramine/8-chlorotheophylline combination product

dimenhydrinate Dimenhydrinate, sold under the brand name Dramamine, among others, is an over-the-counter drug used to treat motion sickness and nausea. Dimenhydrinate is a theoclate salt composed of diphenhydramine, an ethanolamine derivative, and 8-chloroth ...

. As with dimenhydrinate, the stimulant effect of the etanautine counteracts the sedative effect from the diphenhydramine, resulting in an improved therapeutic profile. The 1:2 salt diphenhydramine diacefylline (with two molecules of acefylline to each molecule of diphenhydramine) is also used in medicine, under the brand name Nautamine.

References

Adenosine receptor antagonists Antiparkinsonian agents Ethers Muscarinic antagonists Stimulants {{nervous-system-drug-stub