Meldonium (Mildronate)
mel-DOH-nee-um
Category
Compound type
Phase / Status
Approved in some countries; sports eligibility depends on governing body rules and current prohibited status.
Standard Dose
Daily
Half-life
Plasma elimination
Route(s)
Oral
Research Stage
Regulatory approval granted; post-market monitoring ongoing.
Overview
Meldonium (Mildronate) is sometimes used to support cardiovascular endurance by changing how cells generate energy. It is not a fast stimulant; any reported effects are generally gradual.
Plain-language summary
Meldonium (Mildronate) is sometimes used to support cardiovascular endurance by changing how cells generate energy. It is not a fast stimulant; any reported effects are generally gradual.
Administration Routes
- Oral
Also known as
Mechanisms
Metabolic modulator — affects energy metabolism by shifting from fatty acid oxidation toward glycolysis.
Detailed mechanism
Meldonium (3-(2,2,2-trimethylhydrazinium)propionate) is a structural analog of gamma-butyrobetaine that competitively inhibits gamma-butyrobetaine hydroxylase (BBOX1), the enzyme responsible for the penultimate step in carnitine biosynthesis, thereby reducing intracellular carnitine concentrations. With less carnitine available as a fatty acid shuttle across the inner mitochondrial membrane, long-chain fatty acid oxidation is attenuated and cellular ATP production shifts toward glucose oxidation, which yields more ATP per unit of oxygen consumed and may confer an oxygen-efficiency advantage under ischemic or high-intensity exercise conditions. Meldonium also appears to activate nitric oxide synthase pathways and reduce accumulation of cytotoxic long-chain acylcarnitines in ischemic tissue, contributing to its cardioprotective effects seen in clinical models of myocardial ischemia.
Safety
Side effects
- Headache
- Agitation or irritability
- Allergic reactions (rare)
- Gastrointestinal upset
Reported benefits
- May support oxygen-efficient energy use
- Possible endurance and recovery support (context-dependent)
- Used for cardiovascular/ischemic indications in some settings
Safety profile
Generally well-tolerated in reported medical use; long-term safety data may be limited in some contexts. Sports rules vary.
Clinical trials
Used clinically in some regions for cardiovascular conditions.
Structure
Verified structure
Meldonium (Mildronate)
No exact public structure match was confirmed, so the app will render a formula-backed illustration.
- Chemical Formula
- C6H14NO2
- Molecular Weight
- 146.19 g/mol
- CAS Number
- 3572-81-8
Stack Context
Stacks with
References
- 1View source
Pharmacological effects of meldonium: biochemical mechanisms and biomarkers of cardiometabolic activity (PubMed)
2016
- 2View source
Mildronate (meldonium) in professional sports: monitoring doping control urine samples using HILIC-HRMS (PubMed)
2015
- 3View source
WADA Prohibited List 2016 - Meldonium added to S4 Hormone and Metabolic Modulators category (WADA)
2016
This profile summarizes research literature for education only. It is not medical advice, and it does not diagnose, treat, or recommend a dose. Consult a qualified professional before changing a protocol.