THE COMPARATIVE PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTION OF SOME PHENYL-, CYCLOHEXYL- AND CYCLOPENTYLALKYLAMINES

¹ From the Pharmacological Research Laboratory, Frederick Stearns and Company, Detroit, Mich.

1. The secondary methyl- and ethyl--cyclohexylethylamines and --cyclopentylethylamines have distinct sympathomimetic activity. They elevate blood pressure, increase heart rate, relax the intestinal musculature and relax the uterus (rat).

2. The secondary methylamines are more effective sympathomimetic agents than the corresponding secondary ethylamines. Methyl--cyclohexylpropylamine is less active than either methyl--cyclohexylethylamine or methyl--cyclopentylethylamine.

3. The tertiary dimethyl--phenethyl-, --cyclohexylethyl-, --cyclopentylethyl- and --cyclohexylpropylamines exert a nicotine-like action in that they increase the respiratory rate and stimulate the smooth muscle of the intestine and uterus. Effects on blood pressure are variable.

4. The tertiary diethylamines, in this series, lower blood pressure and depress the activity of the intestinal musculature. They stimulate the uterus (rat).

5. Where direct comparison was possible, ethyl--cycloalkylethylamines were found to be somewhat more toxic than the corresponding phenethylamine. The tertiary dimethyl- and diethyl--cycloalkylethylamines were found to be more toxic than the corresponding secondary methyl- and ethylamine.