Cardiac stimulant

A cardiac stimulant is a drug which acts as a stimulant of the heart – e.g., via positive chronotropic action (increased heart rate) and/or inotropic action (increased myocardial contractility). They increase cardiac output (the amount of blood pumped by the heart over time).

Examples

• β₁-Adrenergic receptor agonists like epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, dobutamine, denopamine, isoproterenol, and xamoterol^[1][2]
• Adrenergic agents indirectly activating β₁-adrenergic receptors^[3]
  • Norepinephrine prodrugs like droxidopa
  • Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors like atomoxetine, reboxetine, desipramine, nortriptyline, bupropion, milnacipran, methylphenidate, and cocaine^[3]
  • Norepinephrine releasing agents like amphetamine, methamphetamine, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, phenylpropanolamine, and mephentermine^[3]
• α₁-Adrenergic receptor antagonists like phentolamine, prazosin, terazosin, and doxazosin^[3]
• α₂-Adrenergic receptor antagonists like phentolamine, yohimbine, and atipamezole^[3]
• Antimuscarinic anticholinergics like atropine^[3]
• Adenosine receptor antagonists like caffeine, theophylline, and aminophylline^[3]
• PDE3 inhibitors like amrinone, milrinone, and pimobendan^[1][2][3]
• Cardiac glycosides like digoxin^[2]
• Other agents like hydralazine, levosimendan, and cannabinoids^[3]

Exercise is also a cardiac stimulant by increasing levels of the sympathomimetic catecholamines epinephrine and norepinephrine.^[4][5]