Drug Groups

approved

Description

Tricyclic anorexigenic agent unrelated to and less toxic than amphetamine, but with some similar side effects. It inhibits uptake of catecholamines and blocks the binding of cocaine to the dopamine uptake transporter. [PubChem]

Indication

Used in short-term (a few weeks) treatment of exogenous obesity in conjunction with a regimen of weight reduction based on caloric restriction, exercise, and behavior modification in patients with a body mass index of 30 kg of body weight per height in meters squared (kg/m²) or in patients with a body mass index of 27 kg/m² in the presence of risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, or hyperlipidemia.

Pharmacology

Mazindol is a sympathomimetic amine, which is similar to an amphetamine. Mazindol stimulates the central nervous system (nerves and brain), which increases your heart rate and blood pressure and decreases your appetite. Sympathomimetic appetite suppressants are used in the short-term treatment of obesity. Their appetite-reducing effect tends to decrease after a few weeks. Because of this, these medicines are useful only during the first few weeks of a weight-loss program.

Toxicity

Symptoms of a mazindol overdose include restlessness, tremor, rapid breathing, confusion, hallucinations, panic, aggressiveness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, an irregular heartbeat, and seizures.

Affected Organisms

Biotransformation

Hepatic.

Half Life

10-13 hours

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