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Mephenesin
Clinical data
AHFS/Drugs.com	International Drug Names
ATC code	M03BX06 (WHO) ;
Identifiers
	IUPAC name 3-(2-methylphenoxy)propane-1,2-diol;
CAS Number	59-47-2 ;
PubChem CID	4059;
ChemSpider	3919 ;
UNII	7B8PIR2954;
KEGG	D02595 ;
ChEMBL	ChEMBL229128 ;
NIAID ChemDB	017830;
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID4023254 ;
ECHA InfoCard	100.000.389
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C10H14O3
Molar mass	182.219 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image;
	SMILES O(c1ccccc1C)CC(O)CO;
	InChI InChI=1S/C10H14O3/c1-8-4-2-3-5-10(8)13-7-9(12)6-11/h2-5,9,11-12H,6-7H2,1H3 ; Key:JWDYCNIAQWPBHD-UHFFFAOYSA-N ;
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Mephenesin (INN), also called myanesin,^[1]^[2] is a centrally acting muscle relaxant. It can be used as an antidote for strychnine poisoning. Mephenesin however presents with the major drawbacks of having a short duration of action and a much greater effect on the spinal cord than the brain, resulting in pronounced respiratory depression at clinical doses and therefore a very low therapeutic index. It is especially dangerous and potentially fatal in combination with alcohol and other depressants.^[3] Mephenesin was the inspiration for the synthesis of a derivative of 1,3-propanediol, meprobamate, by Bernard Ludwig and Frank Berger,^[4] the first tranquilizer to see widespread clinical use. Mephenesin is no longer available in North America but is used in Italy and a few other countries.^[5] Its use has largely been replaced by the related drug methocarbamol, which is better absorbed.^[6]

Mephenesin may be an NMDA receptor antagonist.^[7] Mephenesin was previously used in France as an OTC muscle relaxant called Décontractyl but was taken out of production by Sanofi Aventis and due to a French Health Ministry decree in July 2019. Mephenesin is, however, still available in Italy.

External links

Bachmeyer C, Blum L, Fléchet M, Duriez P, Cabane J, Imbert J (1996). "[Severe contact dermatitis caused by mephenesin]". Ann Dermatol Venereol. 123 (3): 185–7. PMID 8761781.
Ono H, Nakamura T, Ito H, Oka J, Fukuda H (1987). "Rigidity in rats due to radio frequency decerebration and effects of chlorpromazine and mephenesin". Gen Pharmacol. 18 (1): 57–9. doi:10.1016/0306-3623(87)90170-4. PMID 3557053.