Molecule

Drug Groups

withdrawn

Description

Nomifensine, formerly marketed as Merital capsules, was associated with an increased incidence of hemolytic anemia. The approved application holder removed Merital capsules from the market on January 23, 1986. FDA published a notice of its determination that Merital capsules were removed from the market for safety reasons (see the Federal Register of June 17, 1986 (51 FR 21981)). Approval of the NDA for Merital capsules was withdrawn on March 20, 1992 (see the Federal Register of March 20, 1992 (57 FR 9729)). Also withdrawn from the Canadian and UK markets.

Pharmacology

Nomifensine is a dopamine reuptake inhibitor test-marketed in the United States by Hoechst AG (now Novartis) that increases the amount of synaptic dopamine available to receptors by blocking dopamine's re-uptake transporter. Nomifensine is now mainly used in scientific research, particularly in studies involving dopamine release in response to addiction.

Toxicity

A likely cause of nomifensine toxicity is the aromatic amine group, as compounds containing this chemical substructure are notorious for producing toxic metabolites.

Affected Organisms

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