Pimethixene Explained

Pimethixene is an antihistamine and anticholinergic of the thioxanthene chemical class originally developed to treat hyperactivity,^[1] anxiety, sleep disorders, and allergy. It is also used for anesthesia and as a bronchodilator (to dilate the bronchi and bronchioles for more airflow).

In combination with pholcodine, it was sold in France by Laboratoires Salvoxyl in the 1970s as the antitussive Salvodex.^[2] Pimethixene alone is still available in Brazil under the trade name Muricalm.

In addition to its other activities, it is a highly potent but non-selective serotonin 5-HT_2B receptor antagonist.^[3] The selective serotonin 5-HT_2B receptor antagonist BF-1 was derived from pimethixene.

See also

• Thioxanthene

Notes and References

1. Chefneux A . [New treatment of hyperkinesis in the child: pimethixene] . Revue Médicale de Liège . 33 . 14 . 500–3 . July 1978 . 674966 .
2. Web site: Salvodex® (9-(1-methyl, 4-piperylidenyl)thiaxanthene and pholcodine), from Laboratoires Salvoxyl (Orléans), 1971 . Bailly . Christian . Oncowitan . 8 December 2020 . 4 January 2022.
3. Schmitz B, Ullmer C, Segelcke D, Gwarek M, Zhu XR, Lübbert H . BF-1--a novel selective 5-HT2B receptor antagonist blocking neurogenic dural plasma protein extravasation in guinea pigs . Eur J Pharmacol . 751 . 73–80 . March 2015 . 25666387 . 10.1016/j.ejphar.2015.01.043 .