Levoamphetamine
Encyclopedia
Levoamphetamine is a psychostimulant known to increase wakefulness and focus in association with decreased appetite
and fatigue. Levoamphetamine is the levorotary
stereoisomer of the amphetamine
molecule. It possesses much weaker dopaminergic
activity than the dextrorotary isomer (dextroamphetamine
) and acts as a selective
releasing agent
of norepinephrine
, similarly to levomethamphetamine.
(racemic amphetamine salt mixture), while 75% of the drug is dextroamphetamine
.
was a racemic (1:1 racemate) mixture of dextroamphetamine and levoamphetamine introduced in the United States
delivered by an inhaler in 1928 for decongestant
uses. Benzedrine was converted into tablet form in 1938 after it was discovered that amphetamine could treat narcolepsy and behavioral disorders.
Appetite
The appetite is the desire to eat food, felt as hunger. Appetite exists in all higher life-forms, and serves to regulate adequate energy intake to maintain metabolic needs. It is regulated by a close interplay between the digestive tract, adipose tissue and the brain. Decreased desire to eat is...
and fatigue. Levoamphetamine is the levorotary
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
stereoisomer of the amphetamine
Amphetamine
Amphetamine or amfetamine is a psychostimulant drug of the phenethylamine class which produces increased wakefulness and focus in association with decreased fatigue and appetite.Brand names of medications that contain, or metabolize into, amphetamine include Adderall, Dexedrine, Dextrostat,...
molecule. It possesses much weaker dopaminergic
Dopaminergic
Dopaminergic means related to the neurotransmitter dopamine. For example, certain proteins such as the dopamine transporter , vesicular monoamine transporter 2 , and dopamine receptors can be classified as dopaminergic, and neurons which synthesize or contain dopamine and synapses with dopamine...
activity than the dextrorotary isomer (dextroamphetamine
Dextroamphetamine
Dextroamphetamine is a psychostimulant drug which is known to produce increased wakefulness and focus as well as decreased fatigue and decreased appetite....
) and acts as a selective
Binding selectivity
Binding selectivity refers to the differing affinities with which different ligands bind to a substrate forming a complex. A selectivity coefficient is the equilibrium constant for the reaction of displacement by one ligand of another ligand in a complex with the substrate...
releasing agent
Releasing agent
A releasing agent , or simply releaser, is a drug that induces the release of a neurotransmitter from the presynaptic neuron into the synapse, leading to an increase in the extracellular concentrations of the neurotransmitter. Many drugs use neurotransmitter release to exert their psychological and...
of norepinephrine
Norepinephrine
Norepinephrine is the US name for noradrenaline , a catecholamine with multiple roles including as a hormone and a neurotransmitter...
, similarly to levomethamphetamine.
Chemistry
Levoamphetamine is the levorotary stereoisomer of the amphetamine molecule. The amphetamine racemate contains two stereoisomers, dextroamphetamine and levoamphetamine, both exhibiting amphetaminergic (amphetamine-like) effects.Adderall
Levoamphetamine is approximately 25% of the drug AdderallAdderall
Adderall is a brand name of amphetamine salts–based medication used for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy. It is a brand-name psychostimulant medication composed of racemic amphetamine aspartate monohydrate, racemic amphetamine sulfate, dextroamphetamine saccharide, and...
(racemic amphetamine salt mixture), while 75% of the drug is dextroamphetamine
Dextroamphetamine
Dextroamphetamine is a psychostimulant drug which is known to produce increased wakefulness and focus as well as decreased fatigue and decreased appetite....
.
Benzedrine
BenzedrineBenzedrine
Benzedrine is the trade name of the racemic mixture of amphetamine . It was marketed under this brandname in the USA by Smith, Kline & French in the form of inhalers, starting in 1928...
was a racemic (1:1 racemate) mixture of dextroamphetamine and levoamphetamine introduced in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
delivered by an inhaler in 1928 for decongestant
Decongestant
A decongestant or nasal decongestant is a type of drug that is used to relieve nasal congestion.-Pharmacology:The vast majority of decongestants act via enhancing norepinephrine and epinephrine or adrenergic activity by stimulating the α-adrenergic receptors...
uses. Benzedrine was converted into tablet form in 1938 after it was discovered that amphetamine could treat narcolepsy and behavioral disorders.