🍽️ mephentermine hemisulfate,(prescription)

Vasopressor Effects: Mephentermine acts primarily by stimulating the sympathetic nervous system, leading to increased peripheral vascular resistance and elevation of blood pressure. It achieves this by releasing norepinephrine from nerve terminals and by directly stimulating alpha-adrenergic receptors on blood vessels.

Treatment of Hypotension: Mephentermine is commonly used to treat hypotension, particularly in situations where other measures such as fluid resuscitation have been ineffective. It can rapidly increase blood pressure, improving perfusion to vital organs and tissues.

Shock Management: Mephentermine is also used in the management of shock, including septic shock and neurogenic shock, where there is a significant decrease in peripheral vascular resistance and inadequate tissue perfusion. By increasing systemic vascular resistance, mephentermine helps restore blood pressure and cardiac output.

Cardiac Stimulation: Mephentermine has positive inotropic (increases myocardial contractility) and chronotropic (increases heart rate) effects, which can enhance cardiac output. This makes it useful in situations where there is cardiovascular compromise, such as during anesthesia or in patients with cardiac arrest.

Bronchodilation: Mephentermine may also have bronchodilator effects due to its stimulation of beta-adrenergic receptors in the bronchial smooth muscle. This can be beneficial in patients with bronchospasm or asthma exacerbations, although it is not typically used as a first-line bronchodilator.

Adverse Effects: Common side effects of mephentermine may include tachycardia (rapid heart rate), palpitations, hypertension (high blood pressure), headache, tremor, anxiety, and insomnia. These effects are often dose-related and may be transient. However, excessive doses of mephentermine can lead to severe hypertension, arrhythmias, myocardial ischemia, and cerebrovascular events.

Contraindications: Mephentermine is contraindicated in patients with severe hypertension, hyperthyroidism, ventricular arrhythmias, and coronary artery disease. It should be used with caution in patients with preexisting cardiovascular conditions, as it can exacerbate these conditions.

Drug Interactions: Mephentermine may interact with other sympathomimetic agents, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and medications that affect blood pressure and heart rate. Careful monitoring and dosage adjustments may be necessary when mephentermine is used concomitantly with other drugs.