Phenylpropanolamine - Pharmacology

Pharmacology

Phenylpropanolamine acts as a potent and selective releasing agent of norepinephrine and epinephrine, or as a norepinephrine releasing agent (NRA). It also acts as a dopamine releasing agent (DRA) to a lesser extent. It works by mimicking the effects of endogenous catecholamines such as epinephrine and norepinephrine, and to a lesser degree dopamine.

Many sympathetic hormones and neurotransmitters are based on the phenethylamine skeleton, and function generally in "fight or flight" type responses- such as increasing heart rate, blood pressure, dilating the pupils, increased energy, drying of mucous membranes, increased sweating, and a significant number of additional effects.

The use of it has been shown to potentiate the effects of caffeine.