What are sympathomimetic amines?

Sympathomimetic amines are drugs that stimulate the sympathetic nervous system and induce various responses. These types of drugs can be classified as catecholamines or noncatecholamines.

Adrenaline is a natural catecholamine sympathomimetic amine that stimulates the central nervous system and affects respiration, metabolism and cardiovasular function. Dopamine is also a catecholamine sympathomimetic amine and its effects are similar to a lower dose of adrenaline. Examples of noncatecholamine sympathomimetic amines include ephedrine, phenylephrine, methoxamine and salbutamol. Ephedrine, a well-known drug, is derived from the ma huang plant. This synthetic stimulant has the same effects as adrenaline, but its effects tend to last for a longer period of time.