Enoximone is a medication used to treat heart failure. The spelling of the word is pronounced /ɪˈnɒksɪmoʊn/. The initial syllable is pronounced as "ee" followed by "noks" which rhymes with "fox". The third syllable is pronounced as "ee" again and the fourth syllable is pronounced as "mown" rhyming with "own". The final syllable is pronounced as "nee". This medication is prescribed by doctors and must be taken according to the recommended dosage to avoid any adverse effects on the heart.
Enoximone is a pharmaceutical drug that belongs to the class of medications known as phosphodiesterase inhibitors. It is primarily used in the treatment of heart failure, a condition characterized by the inability of the heart to pump blood effectively.
Enoximone works by inhibiting the enzyme known as phosphodiesterase III, which is found primarily in the heart and blood vessels. By inhibiting this enzyme, enoximone increases the levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in these tissues. Increased cAMP levels lead to various physiological effects, including vasodilation (widening of blood vessels) and positive inotropic effects (increased force of heart contractions).
The vasodilatory effects of enoximone help to reduce the workload on the heart by decreasing resistance in the blood vessels. This leads to improved blood flow and decreased blood pressure, making it easier for the heart to pump blood. The positive inotropic effects enhance the contractility of the heart muscles, further improving cardiac output.
Enoximone is administered intravenously and is usually given in a hospital setting. It is often used as a short-term treatment to stabilize patients with acute heart failure or as an adjunct to traditional therapies.
Common side effects of enoximone may include gastrointestinal disturbances like nausea and vomiting, as well as headache and dizziness. It may also cause alterations in blood pressure and heart rhythm, so close monitoring is necessary during treatment.
The word "Enoximone" is derived from two main components: "eno" and "ximone".
The prefix "eno" is derived from "enol", referring to a chemical compound that contains a double bond between a carbon and an oxygen atom. It is commonly used to indicate the presence of a double bond in organic chemistry.
The word "ximone" is derived from the parent compound "xanthine", which is a purine base found in several biological systems, such as caffeine. "Ximone" can be thought of as a modification or alteration of the xanthine structure.
When combined, "eno" and "ximone" form the word "Enoximone". This term is used as the generic name for a medication, which is a type of phosphodiesterase inhibitor used for heart failure therapy.