data + articles · 1 listed
newest 1989spec sheet8 rows
Alifedrine An investigational beta-adrenergic partial agonist studied as a positive inotropic agent (a drug that strengthens heart muscle contraction) for heart failure. It was tested in animal models and early clinical research but never reached the market.
- Increased cardiac contractility (up to 50%) and cardiac output (up to 30%) in animal heart-failure models
- Lowered elevated filling pressures and total peripheral resistance in the failing heart
- Increased coronary blood flow with only a minor rise in myocardial oxygen consumption
- Beta-agonist stimulation of an already stressed or ischemic heart carries a theoretical arrhythmia risk
Overview
A heart-failure candidate that boosted pump strength without hammering oxygen demand as hard as typical beta-agonists; still never got approved.
Mechanism
Alifedrine is a partial at beta- receptors, meaning it produces submaximal stimulation rather than full receptor activation. In dogs with induced ischemic left ventricular failure, this increased cardiac contractility, heart rate, and cardiac output while decreasing elevated filling pressures and peripheral vascular resistance, with only a minor rise in myocardial oxygen consumption.
receptor fingerprint
Beta- receptorPartial Agonist
Safetyrisks and cautions, not medical advice
Alifedrine was studied mainly in animal models of heart failure and did not complete clinical development. No established human safety profile exists. As with any beta-agonist used in a failing or ischemic heart, stimulation carries an inherent theoretical risk of arrhythmia.
Subjective profileweighing the evidence above
A historical entry, not an option. It never completed clinical development, has no human safety profile, and stimulating an already failing or ischemic heart with a beta-agonist carries an arrhythmia risk that modern heart failure care avoids.
Resources
This entry is here for reference.
Research
1 listed here; entry last updated July 2026
Reviews
My notesprivate to this device
FAQ
What is Alifedrine used for?
It was investigated experimentally as a treatment for acute heart failure but was never approved or marketed.
How does Alifedrine work?
It partially activates beta-adrenergic receptors in the heart, increasing contraction strength and cardiac output while lowering elevated pressures in the failing heart.
Is Alifedrine well-researched?
Only lightly. The main published evidence comes from a single animal study of dogs with induced heart failure, and it never advanced to large-scale human trials.
Limitations of the evidence
- Never completed clinical development or reached the market
Adverse effects
- Beta-agonist stimulation of an already stressed or ischemic heart carries a theoretical arrhythmia risk