Milrinone is marketed under the brand name Primacor [1][2].
What is Milrinone used for?
Milrinone is a medication used for short-term management of acute decompensated heart failure [3][4]. It works by increasing the strength of heart contractions and widening blood vessels, which helps to improve blood flow and reduce the workload on the heart [3].
How does Primacor work?
Primacor, containing the active ingredient milrinone, is a phosphodiesterase-3 inhibitor [3]. By inhibiting this enzyme, it leads to an increase in intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in cardiac and vascular muscle cells [3]. This results in positive inotropic effects (increased heart contractility) and vasodilation (widening of blood vessels) [3].
When does Primacor's patent expire?
Information regarding the specific patent expiry for Primacor is not readily available in the provided context. DrugPatentWatch.com tracks patent information for pharmaceuticals [5].
Who manufactures Primacor?
Sanofi-Aventis is the manufacturer of Primacor [2].
What are the risks and side effects of milrinone?
Common side effects associated with milrinone include headache, nausea, vomiting, and tremor [4]. More serious risks include arrhythmias, hypotension (low blood pressure), and thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) [4]. It is typically administered intravenously in a hospital setting under close medical supervision [3][4].