Nikethamide

Porphyria, epilepsy or other convulsive disorders, cerebral oedema, cerebrovascular accident, head injury, acute severe asthma, physical obstruction of the airway, severe hypertension, ischaemic heart disease, hyperthyroidism, phaeochromocytoma.

Less severe degrees of hypertension or impaired cardiac reserve; liver dysfunction.

Dyspnoea, respiratory problems; muscular, GI, CNS and CV effects. Convulsions.

Additive pressor effects with sympathomimetics or MAOIs. Increased risk of cardiac arrythmias with some anaesthetics (halothane, enflurane, isoflurane). May mask the effects of neuromuscular blockers. Increased risk of convulsions with bupropion.

Description: Nikethamide was formerly used as a respiratory stimulant but its use for this indication is no longer recommended as the effective doses are close to those causing toxic effects (especially convulsions).

Respiratory Stimulants