Cardiovascular effects of amphepramone

The i.v. administration of amphepramone in dogs induced a dose-related depressor reaction. This effect was due to a peripheral myotropic vasodilatation. When the drug was administered intracerebroventricularly it elicited a marked pressor response, due, to the release of catecholamines with its subsequent action on alpha-adrenergic receptors. Small doses of amphepramone administered in dogs, rats and rabbits, induced a sinus tachycardia. Larger doses brought about a sinus bradycardia, bradyarrhythmias, extrasystoles, ventricular bradycardia and ventricular fibrillation or asystolia. The respiratory movements as well as the EEG tracings were depressed by larger doses of amphepramone.