HYDROXYAMPHETAMINE Meaning and
Definition
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Hydroxyamphetamine is a synthetic compound that belongs to the class of medications known as sympathomimetic amines. It is primarily used as a diagnostic agent in ophthalmology to evaluate the function of the autonomic nervous system in the eye.
Hydroxyamphetamine acts by stimulating the release and preventing the reuptake of certain neurotransmitters, specifically norepinephrine and dopamine. This leads to an increase in the levels of these neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft, thereby enhancing their effects on target tissues. The increased release and prolonged action of norepinephrine and dopamine result in pupil dilation, called mydriasis, and the contraction of the radial muscle of the iris. This response helps evaluate the integrity of the sympathetic nervous system, particularly in the evaluation of Horner's syndrome, a disorder affecting the nerves that control the eye.
While hydroxyamphetamine is known primarily for its diagnostic use, it also has some potential for abuse due to its stimulant properties. As a sympathomimetic amine, it can induce effects similar to those of amphetamines, such as increased alertness, wakefulness, and euphoria. These recreational uses, however, are generally not recommended or approved due to the associated risks and potential side effects of misuse.
In summary, hydroxyamphetamine is a synthetic compound used in ophthalmology to assess autonomic nervous system function and to diagnose conditions like Horner's syndrome. Its action involves stimulating the release and blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine, resulting in pupil dilation and muscle contraction.
Common Misspellings for HYDROXYAMPHETAMINE
- gydroxyamphetamine
- bydroxyamphetamine
- nydroxyamphetamine
- jydroxyamphetamine
- uydroxyamphetamine
- yydroxyamphetamine
- htdroxyamphetamine
- hgdroxyamphetamine
- hhdroxyamphetamine
- hudroxyamphetamine
- h7droxyamphetamine
- h6droxyamphetamine
- hysroxyamphetamine
- hyxroxyamphetamine
- hycroxyamphetamine
- hyfroxyamphetamine
- hyrroxyamphetamine
- hyeroxyamphetamine
- hydeoxyamphetamine
- hyddoxyamphetamine
Etymology of HYDROXYAMPHETAMINE
The word "Hydroxyamphetamine" can be broken down into two parts:
1. "Hydroxy" is derived from the Greek word "hydr-", meaning "water", and "oxy-", meaning "oxygen". It is a combining form used to indicate the presence of a hydroxyl group (-OH), which consists of one atom of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen.
2. "Amphetamine" is derived from "amphétamines", which is a French term coined by the Romanian chemist Lazăr Edeleanu in 1887. It is a combination of the prefix "amph-" meaning "both" or "around", and "phétamine", derived from "phényl(iso)pseudonaphtylamine", a precursor compound. Edeleanu was researching stimulant compounds and had initially synthesized a precursor compound called β-phenyloxyl-α-methylamine.
