Nikethamide

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Nikethamide
Systematic (IUPAC) name
N,N-Diethyl-3-pyridinecarboxamide
Identifiers
CAS number 59-26-7
ATC code R07AB02
PubChem 5497
Chemical data
Formula C10H14N2O 
Mol. mass 178.231
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability  ?
Metabolism  ?
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Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.

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Legal status
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Nikethamide is a stimulant which mainly affects the respiratory cycle. It was formerly used under the brand name "Coramine" in the mid-1900s as a medical countermeasure towards tranquilizer overdoses, before the advent of endotracheal intubation & positive-pressure lung expansion. It was used for this purpose by suspected serial killer Dr John Bodkin Adams when treating patient Gertrude Hullett, who he was suspected of murdering[1].

In alternate terminology, it is known as nicotinic acid diethylamide, which meaningfully emphasizes its laboratory origins, as well as the phonemes of its common name.

In sports, nikethamide is listed by the World Anti-Doping Agency as a banned substance. Cyclist Jaime Huelamo was caught at the 1972 Summer Olympics using it. When it was discovered that American sprinter and world champion Torri Edwards had used nikethamide, she was banned for two years. In 2005, however, WADA downgraded nikethamide so that one would only receive a maximum one-year ban.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Cullen, Pamela V., "A Stranger in Blood: The Case Files on Dr John Bodkin Adams", London, Elliott & Thompson, 2006, ISBN 1-904027-19-9

[edit] External links