Nikethamide
Nikethamide (Fig. 1) is a psychostimulant that primarily stimulates respiration and circulation. In the past, it was used, among other things, as a medical antidote following overdoses of sedatives. Nikethamide is of little medical interest today.
In Germany, it is the only medication marketed as Zellaforte N plus Dragees®. It is available only in pharmacies but does not require a prescription.
The indications listed for Zellaforte N plus Dragees® include: states of exhaustion and weakness, cardiovascular weakness, circulatory disorders, particularly of the brain and coronary arteries
Another nikethamide-containing preparation called Gly-Coramin® is commercially available in Switzerland.
Side Effects
According to the Red List, a wide range of side effects and symptoms of poisoning are reported for Zellaforte N plus Dragees®, particularly following overdoses. The main side effects correspond to those of ephedrine-type stimulants. See Side Effects of Stimulants
Doping
Nikethamide has been listed as a stimulant on the doping lists of national and international sports federations since the late 1970s. In 1978, the IOC included various central nervous system stimulants in its regulations, citing the following examples: Amiphenazol, Bemegrid, Leptazol (Pentetrazol), Nikethamide, Strychnine, and related compounds.
Nikethamide is a prohibited substance; its detection during doping controls between 1993 and 2001 was reported to the IOC by globally accredited doping control laboratories in a total of 47 cases.
As early as the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, 7 positive findings for stimulants were reported out of a total of 2,079 test samples, with the active ingredient nikethamide detected in two cases.
Institute of Biochemistry at the DSHS Cologne, last updated July 19, 2004
