Oxyfedrine is a
vasodilator and a
β adrenoreceptor agonist. It was found to depress the tonicity of coronary vessels, improve myocardial metabolism (so that heart can sustain hypoxia better) and also exert a positive chronotropic and inotropic effects, thereby not precipitating
angina pectoris. The latter property (positive chronotropic and inotropic effects) is particularly important, because other vasodilators used in angina may be counter productive causing coronary steal phenomenon.
Synergistic effects with
antibiotics have been suggested.[1]
Synthesis
Mannich condensation of PPA [14838-15-4] (1) with formaldehyde and m-
acetanisole (3-Acetylanisole) [586-37-8] (2) yields oxyfedrine (3).