17- A) PHENYLETHYLAMINES

Question 1

PHENYLETHYLAMINES

Answer 1

Alkaloids with a chemical structure closely related to that of the neurotransmitters adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine), amphetamine and certain designer drugs.

Question 2

NATURAL ALKALOIDS

Answer 2

EPHEDRINE
PSEUDOEPHEDRINE
CATHIONE
MESCALINE

Question 3

EPHEDRINE AND PESUDOEPHEDRINE

Answer 3

-Basic nitrogen, secondary amine,
non heterocyclic.
-It does not give classic precipitation
reactions of alkaloids.
-Reaction for detection: ninhydrin
(blue-violet).

Question 4

PHENYLETHYLAMINE- CONTAINING DRUGS

Answer 4

Steam of Ephedra
Heart-leaf Sida; Flowering top and root of Sida cordifolia
Ephedra distachya
Ephedra equisetina

Several species of Ephedra are used as a source of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, although they may also be obtained by easy synthesis.
Ephedras spp. contain about 0.5-2.0% of alkaloids.
Of them, ephedrine range from 30 to 90% according to the species.

Question 5

PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTION OF EPHEDRINE AT THE PERIPHERAL LEVEL

Answer 5

• Indirect sympathomimetic. Inhibit reuptake of norepinephrine.

a) Cardiac stimulation: positive chronotropic and inotropic
effects, producing tachycardia.
b) Vessels: potent vasoconstriction. Increases systolic and
diastolic blood pressure.
c) Bronchodilatation

Question 6

PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTION OF EPHEDRINE AT THE ON THE NERVOUS CENTRAL SYSTEM

Answer 6

•Ephedrine cross the blood-brain barrier, increasing levels of catecholamines. Its metabolism is slow so that it has long-life
action than the neurotransmitter epinephrine.

•Produces a stimulating psychic effect, increases concentration and reduces the sensation of fatigue, hunger and the need of sleep.

Side effects include anxiety, tremors and insomnia.

Question 7

THERAPEUTIC INDICATIONS OF EPHEDRINE BY ITS VASOCONSTRICTOR EFFECT

Answer 7

• nasal decongestant (treatment of the acute congestion,
  rhinitis, sinusitis and rhinopharyngitis).
• prophylaxis and treatment of rhinopharynx infections (due
  to their antiseptic and vasoconstrictive properties).
• hemorrhoidal crisis (treatment of the painful symptoms of
  the acute attack of piles.
  It is often associated with: antihistamine, analgesics, local anesthetics,
  antiseptics.

Question 8

THERAPEUTIC INDICATIONS OF EPHEDRINE BY ITS BRONCHODILATOR EFFECT

Answer 8

• Due to its bronchodilator effect (hydrochloride or
  sulphate) , it is also used in association with other drugs in:
• non-productive coughs
• antiasthmatic

Question 9

SPANISH PHARMACEUTICAL SPECIALITIES (EPHEDRINE -PSEUDO)

Answer 9

• Sandival (Pseudoephedrine)

- Hemoal (Ephedrine)

Question 10

SANDIVAL

Answer 10

EPHEDRINE 
Treatment of symptoms of the
common cold and influenza-like
states: congestive, febrile and
painful symptoms.

Question 11

HEMOAL

Answer 11

EPHEDRINE
Hemorrhoids, anal fissure.
Symptomatic treatment of pain
or itching associated with
hemorrhoids or anal fissure.

Question 12

KHAT, ABYSSINIAN TEA, LEAF OF CATHA EDULIS (INFORMATION)

Answer 12

Young and fresh leaves, constitute a masticatory drug (stimulatory effect) used like coca leaf to
suppress the depression and to combat the sensation of hunger and fatigue.

They contain (-) cathinone. It has pharmacological properties analogous to those of (+)- amphetamine, with simiar potency and mechanism of action.

Effects; aggressiveness, paranoia, personality disorders.

Cultivation, sale and illicit use are produced outside their countries of origin.

Question 13

NATURAL ALKALOID WHICH IS COINTAINED IN CATHA EDULIS - ABYSSINIAN TEA

Answer 13

They contain (-) cathinone. It has pharmacological properties analogous to those of (+)- amphetamine, with simiar potency and mechanism of action.

Question 14

EFFECTS OF CATHA EDULIS, ABYSSINIAN TEA

Answer 14

Effects; aggressiveness, paranoia, personality disorders.

Question 15

PEYOTE, MESCAL; ECHINOCACTUS WILLIAMSII (INFORMATION)

Answer 15

Peyote is a potent hallucinogenic globular cactus. It is collected before the rainy season which precedes the flowering by cutting at ground level.

When dry, it acquires a dark grey colour, then known as “peyote button” or “mescal
button” (8-9% TA).

Question 16

MESCALINE

Answer 16

PEYOTE, MESCAL; ECHINOCACTUS WILLIAMSII

Mescaline:has clinical effects
similar to those of LSD (lysergic
acid diethylamide): psychic,
cognitive and physical.

Question 17

EFFECTS PRODUCED BY MESCALINE

Answer 17

The ingestion
produces a distortion
of the perception of
shapes, an
intensification of
colours, auditory
hallucinations, and a
slowing in the
perception of time.
The physical
symptoms include
mydriasis,
tachycardia,
bradypnea, nausea,
agitation and
anxiety. At high
doses, memory loss,
hypertensive
encephalopathy and
intracranial
hemorrhage.