Home Drug Guide Mephentermine Sulfate

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Mephentermine Sulfate

Brand Names Wyamine Sulfate

Classification

Therapeutic: Vasopressor, Cardiac stimulant

Pharmacological: Sympathomimetic agent

FDA Approved Indications

  • Hypotension (especially orthostatic hypotension)

Mechanism of Action

Mephentermine Sulfate stimulates alpha-adrenergic receptors causing vasoconstriction and increases blood pressure; it also has some beta-adrenergic activity, which can increase cardiac output.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Typically 15-30 mg IM or IV every 4-6 hours as needed, with dose adjustments based on patient response.

Pediatric: Use is not well established; consult specialized guidelines or specialist.

Geriatric: Begin at lower end of dosing range due to increased sensitivity and comorbidities.

Renal Impairment: Use with caution; no specific dose adjustment established.

Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution; no specific dose adjustment established.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Rapidly absorbed after IM or IV administration.

Distribution: Widely distributed throughout tissues.

Metabolism: Metabolized minimally in the liver; primarily excreted unchanged.

Excretion: Excreted primarily via the kidneys.

Half Life: Approximately 2-3 hours.

Contraindications

  • Severe hypertension
  • Ventricular tachyarrhythmias
  • History of hypersensitivity to sympathomimetics

Precautions

  • Use with caution in patients with coronary artery disease, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, or Parkinson's disease; monitor blood pressure closely.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Elevated blood pressure (Frequent)
  • Tachycardia (Frequent)
  • Nervousness, anxiety (Common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Arrhythmias (Uncommon)
  • Hypertensive crisis (Rare)
  • Cardiac ischemia (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) can potentiate hypertensive effects.
  • Other sympathomimetics may increase risks of cardiovascular adverse effects.
  • Tricyclic antidepressants may enhance adrenergic effects.

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor blood pressure, heart rate, ECG periodically.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for hypertension
  • Ineffective tissue perfusion

Implementation: Administer carefully; monitor for adverse effects.

Evaluation: Assess blood pressure and heart rate regularly to ensure therapeutic effect and minimize adverse effects.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Instruct patient to report chest pain, high blood pressure, or palpitations.
  • Advise to avoid sudden position changes to prevent dizziness.
  • Explain that medication should be used exactly as prescribed.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings: N/A

Genetic Factors: N/A

Lab Test Interference: None established; however, sympathetic stimulation may affect diagnostic readings.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Severe hypertension, tachycardia, arrhythmias, chest pain.

Treatment: Discontinue drug immediately; provide supportive care, antihypertensive therapy as needed, and consider calcium channel blockers or vasodilators under medical supervision.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature, away from heat and light.

Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.