nikethamide

Nikethamide is a central nervous system and respiratory stimulant, historically classified as an analeptic. It functions by stimulating chemoreceptors in the carotid and aortic bodies, which increases the rate and depth of respiration by enhancing the sensitivity of the medullary respiratory center to carbon dioxide. While it was once widely used to treat acute respiratory depression resulting from anesthetic or sedative overdoses, its clinical utility has diminished with the advent of mechanical ventilation and more targeted antagonists. It is currently listed as a prohibited substance by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) due to its potential for performance enhancement.

Brand names

CoramineCordiamin

Other names

N,N-DiethylnicotinamideNicotinic acid diethylamideNikethamidum