Almitrine
Encyclopedia
Almitrine is a diphenylmethylpiperazine
derivative classified as a respiratory stimulant
by the ATC
. It enhances respiration by acting as an agonist
of peripheral chemoreceptors located on the carotid bodies. The drug increases arterial oxygen tension while decreasing arterial carbon dioxide tension in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
. It may also prove useful in the treatment of nocturnal oxygen desaturation without impairing the quality of sleep.
Different pharmacological properties of almitrine-raubasine show that this combination may be a good therapy for the treatment of age-related cerebral disorders and functional rehabilitation after stroke. Many clinical studies have been carried out in France and in the rest of Europe, confirming the value of this compound in such situations. Without discussing the complexity of clinical trials in both the areas of cognitive disorders and stroke, we shall present two studies demonstrating the beneficial effects of almitrine-raubasine against cognitive impairments. The first is a double-blind controlled study versus placebo with a 3-month follow-up period involving patients (aged between 60 and 85) with memory loss, lack of concentration, impaired mental alertness, and emotional instability. The second is a controlled multi-center study of 155 outpatients (age 70-85) presenting with cognitive decline (assessed by MMSE, SCAG). In both these studies, almitrine-raubasine significantly improved symptomatology and was superior to placebo, especially in the vascular cases. This confirms the validity of previous studies and justifies the indication of these compounds in the treatment of age-related cognitive disorders. Other studies also demonstrated the beneficial effect of this compound on neurosensory vascular disorders, with specific studies carried out on chorioretinal dysfunctions (visual symptomatology) and in vestibular disorders (vertigo associated with electronystagmographic modifications). The appropriate and usual dosage (2 tablets per day) and the good tolerance of the compound have been confirmed in a French multi-centric study in 5,361 outpatients.
Diphenylmethylpiperazine
1-piperazine, also known as benzhydrylpiperazine, is a chemical compound and piperazine derivative. It features a piperazine ring with a benzhydryl group bound to one of the nitrogens....
derivative classified as a respiratory stimulant
Stimulant
Stimulants are psychoactive drugs which induce temporary improvements in either mental or physical function or both. Examples of these kinds of effects may include enhanced alertness, wakefulness, and locomotion, among others...
by the ATC
Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System
The Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System is used for the classification of drugs. It is controlled by the WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology , and was first published in 1976....
. It enhances respiration by acting as an agonist
Agonist
An agonist is a chemical that binds to a receptor of a cell and triggers a response by that cell. Agonists often mimic the action of a naturally occurring substance...
of peripheral chemoreceptors located on the carotid bodies. The drug increases arterial oxygen tension while decreasing arterial carbon dioxide tension in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , also known as chronic obstructive lung disease , chronic obstructive airway disease , chronic airflow limitation and chronic obstructive respiratory disease , is the co-occurrence of chronic bronchitis and emphysema, a pair of commonly co-existing diseases...
. It may also prove useful in the treatment of nocturnal oxygen desaturation without impairing the quality of sleep.
Different pharmacological properties of almitrine-raubasine show that this combination may be a good therapy for the treatment of age-related cerebral disorders and functional rehabilitation after stroke. Many clinical studies have been carried out in France and in the rest of Europe, confirming the value of this compound in such situations. Without discussing the complexity of clinical trials in both the areas of cognitive disorders and stroke, we shall present two studies demonstrating the beneficial effects of almitrine-raubasine against cognitive impairments. The first is a double-blind controlled study versus placebo with a 3-month follow-up period involving patients (aged between 60 and 85) with memory loss, lack of concentration, impaired mental alertness, and emotional instability. The second is a controlled multi-center study of 155 outpatients (age 70-85) presenting with cognitive decline (assessed by MMSE, SCAG). In both these studies, almitrine-raubasine significantly improved symptomatology and was superior to placebo, especially in the vascular cases. This confirms the validity of previous studies and justifies the indication of these compounds in the treatment of age-related cognitive disorders. Other studies also demonstrated the beneficial effect of this compound on neurosensory vascular disorders, with specific studies carried out on chorioretinal dysfunctions (visual symptomatology) and in vestibular disorders (vertigo associated with electronystagmographic modifications). The appropriate and usual dosage (2 tablets per day) and the good tolerance of the compound have been confirmed in a French multi-centric study in 5,361 outpatients.
See also
- DiphenylmethylpiperazineDiphenylmethylpiperazine1-piperazine, also known as benzhydrylpiperazine, is a chemical compound and piperazine derivative. It features a piperazine ring with a benzhydryl group bound to one of the nitrogens....
- Servier