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ALIMENTARY TRACT AND METABOLISM › ANTIOBESITY PREPARATIONS, EXCL. DIET PRODUCTS › ANTIOBESITY PREPARATIONS, EXCL. DIET PRODUCTS › Centrally acting antiobesity products
cathine
A08AA07
Forms & Strengths
- Tablets: 10 mg, 20 mg (often formulated as norpseudoephedrine hydrochloride)
Adult Dosing
- Short-term management of exogenous obesity: 10 to 20 mg orally once daily, typically taken in the morning
- Maximum recommended duration is usually limited to a few weeks to minimize dependency and tolerance risks
Pediatric Dosing
- Safety and efficacy not established in pediatric patients under 12 years of age
- Not recommended for use in children
Indications
- Short-term adjunct in the management of exogenous obesity as part of a comprehensive weight reduction regimen including caloric restriction and exercise
Mechanism of Action
- Indirectly acting sympathomimetic amine
- Stimulates the release of norepinephrine from storage sites in nerve terminals in the central nervous system
- Suppresses appetite via action on the lateral hypothalamic feeding center
Contraindications
- History of cardiovascular disease (e.g., arrhythmias, severe hypertension, coronary artery disease)
- Advanced arteriosclerosis
- Glaucoma
- Hyperthyroidism
- History of drug abuse or psychiatric illness
- Concurrent use of or within 14 days following MAO inhibitors
Adverse Reactions
- Central nervous system: Insomnia, nervousness, jitteriness, dizziness, euphoria, headache
- Cardiovascular: Tachycardia, palpitations, elevated blood pressure, precordial pain
- Gastrointestinal: Dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation
- Psychiatric: Psychosis, dependence, tolerance with prolonged use
Drug Interactions
- Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs): Risk of hypertensive crisis; contraindicated
- Sympathomimetic agents: Enhances cardiovascular side effects such as hypertension and tachycardia
- General anesthetics: Increased risk of cardiac arrhythmias
- Antihypertensive agents: May antagonize the hypotensive effects of guanethidine, methyldopa, or beta-blockers
Curated Content: Needs Vetting Before Put to Clinical Use