Other Name(s):
1,3-Dimethylamylamine, 1,3-Dimethyl-5-Amine, 1,3-Dimethylamylamine HCL, 1,3 Dimethylpentylamine, 1,3-dimethylpentylamine, 2-amino-4-methylhexane, 2-Hexanamine,4-Methyl-(9Cl), 4-methyl-2-hexanamine, 4-methyl-2-hexyl-amine, 4-methylhexan-2-amine, C7H17N, CAS 105-41-9, Dimetilamilamina, Dimethylpentylamine, Diméthylpentylamine, DMAA, Forthan, Forthane, Floradrene, Fouramin, Geranamine, Geranium, Géranium, Metexaminum, Methexaminum, Methylhexanamine, Méthylhexanamine, Methylhexaneamine, Méthylhexanéamine, Pelargonium, Pentylamine.
- Overview
- Uses
- Side Effects
- Precautions
- Interactions
- Dosing
Dimethylamylamine is a drug made synthetically in a laboratory. It was originally used as a nasal decongestant. Today, dimethylamylamine is sold as a dietary supplement used for attention deficit-hyperactive disorder (ADHD), weight loss, improving athletic performance, and body building.
Some products claim that dimethylamylamine naturally comes from rose geranium oil. Supplements that contain this ingredient sometimes list rose geranium, geranium oil, or geranium stems on the label. However, laboratory analysis shows that this drug probably does not come from this natural source. It is thought that these manufacturers have artificially added this drug to the supplement rather than obtaining it from a natural source. Dimethylamylamine is considered a drug in Canada is not permitted in dietary supplements or natural health products.
Many athletes take dimethylamylamine to improve performance. However, dimethylamylamine was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency's prohibited substances list for 2010. Therefore, competitive athletes should avoid taking it.
Due to safety concerns, dimethylamylamine has been temporarily removed from military stores in the US. It has also been banned in New Zealand. Its use has been linked to several reports of serious, life-threatening side effects.
How does work?
Dimethylamylamine is thought to have stimulant effects similar to decongestants such as pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, and others. Some promoters say that it is a safer alternative to ephedrine. However, there is no scientific information to back up this claim.
Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...
- Attention deficit-hyperactive disorder (ADHD).
- Weight loss.
- Athletic performance.
- Body building.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate dimethylamylamine for these uses.
Dimethylamylamine is LIKELY UNSAFE when taken by mouth. Since it is thought to work like a stimulant, there is concern that it might increase the chance of serious side effects such as rapid heartbeat, increase in blood pressure, and increase the chance of having a heart attack or stroke.
In clinical research, taking a product containing dimethylamylamine plus other ingredients seems to increase heart rate and blood pressure.
There have been several reports of dangerous side effects including stroke, a condition called lactic acidosis, heart attack, and death in people who have taken dimethylamylamine.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of dimethylamylamine during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
High blood pressure: Dimethylamylamine might have stimulant effects and can increase blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, avoid taking dimethylamylamine.
Glaucoma: Dimethylamylamine might have stimulant effects and cause blood vessels to constrict. This could worsen some types of glaucoma. If you have glaucoma, avoid taking dimethylamylamine.
Irregular heartbeat (heart arrhythmia): Dimethylamylamine might have stimulant effects and can cause a rapid heartbeat. This could worsen heart arrhythmias.
Surgery: Dimethylamylamine might have stimulant effects, so it might interfere with surgery by increasing heart rate and blood pressure. Stop taking dimethylamylamine at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Stimulant drugsInteraction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.
Stimulant drugs speed up the nervous system. By speeding up the nervous system, stimulant medications can make you feel jittery and speed up your heartbeat. Dimethylamylamine might also speed up the nervous system. Taking dimethylamylamine along with stimulant drugs might cause serious problems including increased heart rate and high blood pressure. Avoid taking stimulant drugs along with dimethylamylamine.
Some stimulant drugs include amphetamine, caffeine, diethylpropion (Tenuate), methylphenidate, phentermine (Ionamin), pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, others), and many others.
The appropriate dose of dimethylamylamine depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for dimethylamylamine. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
References
Adverse Event Report. Jack3d. Natural MedWatch, May 28, 2011.
AHPA clarifies its position on the science linking DMAA to geranium oil; new research on DMAA in geranium reported. AHPA News Room, August 11, 2011. Available at: http://www.ahpa.org/Default.aspx?tabid=69&aId=709. (Accessed 4 January 2012).
Classification of 1,3-dimethylamylamine (DMAA). Health Canada, July 7, 2011.
Daniells S. AHPA takes '1st stand' on labeling of DMAA-geranium oil. Nutraingredients-usa.com, August 9, 2011. Available at: http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Industry/AHPA-takes-1st-stand-on-labeling-of-DMAA-geranium-oil. (Accessed 12 August 2011).
DMAA Banned from 9 April 2012. Ministry of Health, New Zealand, March 23, 2012. Available at: http://www.health.govt.nz/news-media/news-items/dmaa-banned-9-april-2012
Farney TM, McCarthy C, Canale RE, et al. Hemodynamic and hematologic profile of health adults ingesting dietary supplements containing 1,3-dimethylamylamine and caffeine. Nutr Metab Insights 2012;5:1-12.
FDA challenges marketing of DMAA products for lack of safety evidence. US Food and Drug Administration, April 27, 2012. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm302133.htm
Gee P, Jackson S, Easton J. Another bitter pill: a case of toxicity from DMAA party pills. N Z Med J 2010;123:124-7. View abstract.
Liu Y, Santillo MF. Cytochrome P450 2D6 and 3A4 enzyme inhibition by amine stimulants in dietary supplements. Drug Test Anal. 2016;8(3-4):307-10. View abstract.
McCarthy C, Canale RE, Alleman RJ, et al. Biochemical and anthropometric effects of a weight loss dietary supplement in health men and women. Nutr Metab Insights 2012;5:13-22.
McCarthy C, Farney TM, Canale RE, et al. A finished dietary supplement stimulates lipolysis and metabolic rate in young men and women. Nutr Metab Insights 2012;5:23-31.
Removal of the dietary supplement DMAA. Army Medicine, Office of the Surgeon General, 2011. Available at: http://humanperformanceresourcecenter.org/dietary-supplements/files/dmaa-pdf. (Accessed 4 January 2012).
Starling S. Synthetic geranium substance raises ephedra-like red flags. Nutraingredients-use.com, May 11, 2010. Available at: http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Industry/Synthetic-geranium-substance-raises-ephedra-like-red-flags. (Accessed 12 August 2011).
The World Anti-Doping Code. The 2010 Prohibited List International Standard. Word Anti-Doping Agency, September 19, 2009. Available at: http://www.wada-ama.org/Documents/World_Anti-Doping_Program/WADP-Prohibited-list/WADA_Prohibited_List_2010_EN.pdf
UPDATE to ALFOODACT 034-2011 and ALFOODACT 036-2011, and 041-2011 Dimethylamylamine (DMAA) Is Placed On Medical Hold Due To Possible Serious Adverse Health Effects. DLA Troop Support, December 30, 2011. Available at: http://www.dscp.dla.mil/subs/fso/alfood/2011/alf04411.pdf. (Accessed 4 January 2012).
Vorce SP, Holler JM, Cawrse BM, Magluilo J. Dimethylamylamine: A drug causing positive immunoassay results for amphetamines. J Anal Toxicol 2011;35:183-7. View abstract.
