Isometheptene (usually as isometheptene
mucate) is a
sympathomimetic amine sometimes used in the treatment of
migraine
Migraine (, ) is a complex neurological disorder characterized by episodes of moderate-to-severe headache, most often unilateral and generally associated with nausea, and light and sound sensitivity. Other characterizing symptoms may includ ...
s and tension headaches due to its
vasoconstricting properties; that is, it causes
constriction
Constriction is a method used by several snake species to kill or subdue their prey. Although some species of venomous and mildly venomous snakes do use constriction to subdue their prey, most snakes which use constriction lack venom. The snake ...
(narrowing) of
blood vessel
Blood vessels are the tubular structures of a circulatory system that transport blood throughout many Animal, animals’ bodies. Blood vessels transport blood cells, nutrients, and oxygen to most of the Tissue (biology), tissues of a Body (bi ...
s (
arteries
An artery () is a blood vessel in humans and most other animals that takes oxygenated blood away from the heart in the systemic circulation to one or more parts of the body. Exceptions that carry deoxygenated blood are the pulmonary arteries in ...
and
veins
Veins () are blood vessels in the circulatory system of humans and most other animals that carry blood towards the heart. Most veins carry deoxygenated blood from the tissues back to the heart; exceptions are those of the pulmonary and fetal c ...
).
Along with
paracetamol
Paracetamol, or acetaminophen, is a non-opioid analgesic and antipyretic agent used to treat fever and mild to moderate pain. It is a widely available over-the-counter drug sold under various brand names, including Tylenol and Panadol.
Parac ...
and
dichloralphenazone, it is one of the constituents of
Amidrine.
Chemistry
Isometheptene is a
monounsaturated
In biochemistry and nutrition, a monounsaturated fat is a fat that contains a monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), a subclass of fatty acid characterized by having a double bond in the fatty acid chain with all of the remaining carbon atoms being s ...
aliphatic
In organic chemistry, hydrocarbons ( compounds composed solely of carbon and hydrogen) are divided into two classes: aromatic compounds and aliphatic compounds (; G. ''aleiphar'', fat, oil). Aliphatic compounds can be saturated (in which all ...
secondary amine
In chemistry, amines (, ) are organic compounds that contain carbon-nitrogen bonds. Amines are formed when one or more hydrogen atoms in ammonia are replaced by alkyl or aryl groups. The nitrogen atom in an amine possesses a lone pair of elec ...
.
Mechanism of action
Isometheptene's vasoconstricting properties arise through activation of the
sympathetic nervous system
The sympathetic nervous system (SNS or SANS, sympathetic autonomic nervous system, to differentiate it from the somatic nervous system) is one of the three divisions of the autonomic nervous system, the others being the parasympathetic nervous sy ...
via
epinephrine
Adrenaline, also known as epinephrine, is a hormone and medication which is involved in regulating visceral functions (e.g., respiration). It appears as a white microcrystalline granule. Adrenaline is normally produced by the adrenal glands a ...
and
norepinephrine
Norepinephrine (NE), also called noradrenaline (NA) or noradrenalin, is an organic compound, organic chemical in the catecholamine family that functions in the brain and human body, body as a hormone, neurotransmitter and neuromodulator. The ...
. These compounds elicit
smooth muscle
Smooth muscle is one of the three major types of vertebrate muscle tissue, the others being skeletal and cardiac muscle. It can also be found in invertebrates and is controlled by the autonomic nervous system. It is non- striated, so-called bec ...
activation leading to vasoconstriction by interacting with cell surface
adrenergic receptors.
See also
*
1,3-Dimethylbutylamine
1,3-Dimethylbutylamine (1,3-DMBA, dimethylbutylamine, DMBA, 4-amino-2-methylpentane, or AMP), is a stimulant drug structurally related to methylhexanamine where a butyl group replaces the pentyl group. The compound is an aliphatic amine.
The ...
*
1,4-Dimethylamylamine
*
Heptaminol
*
Iproheptine
Iproheptine, also known as ''N''-isopropyl-1,5-dimethylhexylamine or ''N''-isopropyloctodrine and sold under the brand names Metron and Susat, is a nasal decongestant which has been marketed in Japan. It is described as a vasoconstrictor and ant ...
*
Methylhexanamine
Methylhexanamine (also known as methylhexamine, 1,3-dimethylamylamine, 1,3-DMAA, dimethylamylamine, and DMAA; trade names Forthane and Geranamine) is an indirect sympathomimetic drug invented and developed by Eli Lilly and Company and marketed ...
*
Octodrine
Octodrine, also known as dimethylhexylamine (DMHA) and sold under the brand name Vaporpac among others, is a sympathomimetic and stimulant medication that was formerly used in the treatment of hypotension (low blood pressure).
It has been stud ...
*
Oenethyl
Oenethyl, also known as 2-methylaminoheptane and sold under the brand names Pacamine and Neosupranol, is a sympathomimetic and vasopressor medication of the alkylamine which is no longer marketed. It was used as a nasal decongestant and to cont ...
*
Tuaminoheptane
Tuaminoheptane (, ; brand names Heptin, Heptadrine, Tuamine; also known as tuamine and 2-aminoheptane) is a sympathomimetic agent and vasoconstrictor which was formerly used as a nasal decongestant. It is still used in France as a nasal decong ...
References
{{Monoamine releasing agents
Alkene derivatives
Alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonists
Sympathomimetic amines