Levomethamphetamine

Levomethamphetamine
Systematic (IUPAC) name
(R)-N-methyl-1-phenyl-propan-2-amine
Clinical data
Pregnancy cat.  ?
Legal status OTC
Routes Nasal Inhalation
Pharmacokinetic data
Metabolism Hepatic
Excretion Renal
Identifiers
CAS number 537-46-2 Y
ATC code  ?
PubChem CID 36604
ChemSpider 33634 Y
UNII 44RAL3456C Y
KEGG D02291 Y
Chemical data
Formula C10H15N 
Mol. mass 149.2
SMILES eMolecules & PubChem
 Y(what is this?)  (verify)

Levomethamphetamine (other names include l-methamphetamine, levodesoxyephedrine, l-desoxyephedrine, levmetamfetamine), is the levorotary (R-enantiomer) of methamphetamine. Levomethamphetamine is a sympathomimetic vasoconstrictor which is the active ingredient used in some over-the-counter nasal decongestants including Vicks Vapor Inhaler.

Chemistry

Levomethamphetamine affects the sympathetic nervous system but has little activity in the central nervous system, so it is not thought to possess an addiction potential anywhere near that of racemic methamphetamine or dextromethamphetamine. Among its few physiological effects are the vasoconstriction that makes it useful for nasal decongestion.[1] The elimination half life of levomethamphetamine is between 13.3 and 15 hours.[2]

Side effects

When used as a nasal decongestant, levomethamphetamine has potential side effects resembling those of other sympathomimetic drugs used for the same purpose; these effects include hypertension (elevated blood pressure), tachycardia (rapid heart rate), nausea, stomach cramps, dizziness, headache, and tremors.

References

  1. ^ Nonprescription Products to Avoid With Hypertension by W. Steven Pray, PhD, DPh, Bernhardt Professor, Nonprescription Products and Devices, College of Pharmacy, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Weatherford, Oklahoma US Pharm. 2010;35(2):12-15. Posted 2/19/2010. Accessed via internet May 26, 2010. This new article incorporates the information formerly drawn from the article cited at the corresponding point in a previous version of this page, which article's former URL now forms a dead link.
  2. ^ Mendelson J, Uemura N, Harris D, et al. (October 2006). "Human pharmacology of the methamphetamine stereoisomers". Clin. Pharmacol. Ther. 80 (4): 403–20. doi:10.1016/j.clpt.2006.06.013. PMID 17015058.