Effects of Mazindol, a Non‐phenylethylamine Anorexigenic Agent, on Biogenic Amine Levels and Turnover Rate

Abstract

I Mazindol is a new anorexigenic agent which possesses a different chemical structure from that of phenylethylamines, but shows a pharmacological profile similar to that of (+)-amphetamine. 2 Mazindol neither altered whole brain monoamine levels (noradrenaline (NA), dopamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)) nor changed NA levels in the hypothalamus or dopamine levels in the caudate nucleus.3 Mazindol enhanced dopamine turnover rate in the caudate nucleus, as shown by the increased rate of dopamine decline after blockade of catecholamine synthesis by a-methyl-p-tyrosine and decreased the conversion index of [3H1-tyrosine into brain NA. 4 Mazindol administration did not modify pargyline-induced decline of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid suggesting that 5-HT turnover is not altered by this drug.

Effect of mazindol on brain dopamine turnover in spiperone-treated rats

“…Mazindol increases motor activity (Gogerty et al, 1975;Zarnbotti et al, 1976) and causes stereotyped behavior in rats (Zarnbotti et al, 1976). In rats with unilateral nigrostriatal lesions, mazindol causes turning toward the lesioned side, and the effect is prevented by pimozide (Zambotti et al, 1976).…”

Fenethylline (Captagon) Abuse – Local Problems from an Old Drug Become Universal

“…Thus, these results are not consistent to the hypothesis that fenethylline acts as a prodrug for amphetamine and suggest that it acts as a different entity [13]. In the same study, fenethylline exhibited a lower anorectic action than amphetamine and another stimulant used as anorectic agent, mazindol [13,36,37]. In contrast to amphetamine, fenethylline does not influence appetite and does not interfere with fine motor activity, but improves motor performance.…”