indication

Used in the treatment of congestive heart failure.

pharmacology

Amrinone is a positive inotropic cardiotonic with vasodilator properties, phosphodiesterase inhibitory activity, and the ability to stimulate calcium ion influx into the cardiac cell.

mechanism of action

Amrinone is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor (PDE3), resulting in increased cAMP and cGMP which leads to an increase in the calcium influx like that caused by beta-agonists resulting in increased inotropic effect.

biotransformation

Hepatic.

half life

5 to 8 hours

route of elimination

The primary route of excretion in man is via the urine as both inamrinone and several metabolites (N-glycolyl, N-acetate, O-glucuronide and N-glucuronide).