MECAMYLAMINE Meaning and
Definition
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Mecamylamine is a pharmaceutical drug that belongs to the class of medications known as ganglionic blockers. It is primarily used for the management of hypertension (high blood pressure) and, to a lesser extent, for the treatment of tobacco addiction.
As a ganglionic blocker, mecamylamine works by binding to and blocking the action of certain receptors in the autonomic ganglia, which are collections of nerve cell bodies located outside the central nervous system. By inhibiting the transmission of nerve signals in these ganglia, mecamylamine effectively reduces the activity of the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for regulating blood pressure and other involuntary bodily functions.
In the context of hypertension, mecamylamine helps lower blood pressure by diminishing the signaling between nerve fibers and the smooth muscles surrounding blood vessels. By inhibiting this signaling, mecamylamine causes the blood vessels to relax and dilate, resulting in decreased resistance to blood flow and consequently reducing overall blood pressure.
For tobacco addiction, mecamylamine works by blocking the effects of nicotine on the brain. By preventing nicotine from binding to certain receptors in the central nervous system, it reduces the pleasure associated with smoking and helps curb the desire to smoke.
The use of mecamylamine may be associated with various side effects, including dizziness, constipation, dry mouth, blurred vision, and urinary hesitation. It is typically administered orally in tablet form, following a specific dosage regimen prescribed by a healthcare professional.
Common Misspellings for MECAMYLAMINE
- Mecamylamile
- Mecamylamioe
- Mecamylaminu
- Mecamylaminm
- Mecamylamina
- Mecamylaming
- mecamylambine
- m ecamylamine
- me camylamine
- mec amylamine
- meca mylamine
- mecam ylamine
- mecamy lamine
- mecamyl amine
- mecamyla mine
- mecamylam ine
- mecamylami ne
- mecamylamin e
Etymology of MECAMYLAMINE
The word "Mecamylamine" is derived from two components: "Mecamyl" and "-ine".
The term "Mecamyl" comes from combining the words "Methyl" and "carbamyl". "Methyl" refers to a radical derived from methane, which is a saturated hydrocarbon compound. "Carbamyl" refers to the carbamate functional group, which is a combination of a carbonyl group and an amine group (-CO-NH2). The inclusion of "Methyl" and "Carbamyl" in the word suggests the presence of these functional groups in the molecule.
The suffix "-ine" is commonly used to denote a chemical compound or class of compounds. It is derived from the Latin word "ina", signifying a chemical substance.
Hence, the word "Mecamylamine" indicates the presence of methyl and carbamyl functional groups in the compound.
