N-Methyl Scopolamine is a quaternary ammonium derivative of scopolamine and an anticholinergic active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). It acts primarily by antagonizing muscarinic acetylcholine receptors and is associated with inhibition of parasympathetic cholinergic activity.
N-Methyl Scopolamine is commonly encountered in pharmaceutical research and as a quaternary scopolamine derivative. The exact salt and hydration state should be specified when defining the pharmaceutical material because these forms can have different molecular weights and physical properties.
N-Methyl Scopolamine is a specialized antimuscarinic pharmaceutical compound relevant to pharmaceutical formulation development, analytical research and cholinergic pharmacology. Its quaternary ammonium structure gives it physicochemical properties distinct from scopolamine free base.
CAS Number: 3485-62-9
Molecular Formula: C18H26NO4⁺
Molecular Weight: 320.41 g/mol (cationic form)
Chemical Class: Tropane Alkaloid Derivative
Drug Class: Anticholinergic / Antimuscarinic
Therapeutic Area: Cholinergic Pharmacology / Gastrointestinal / Ophthalmic Research
Molecule Type: Quaternary Ammonium Derivative
N-Methyl Scopolamine acts primarily by blocking muscarinic acetylcholine receptors.
Its pharmacological effects are associated with:
Because it contains a permanent positive charge associated with its quaternary ammonium structure, its distribution across biological membranes differs from that of non-quaternary scopolamine.
N-Methyl Scopolamine is relevant to:
N-Methyl Scopolamine is a useful compound for research involving muscarinic receptor activity and parasympathetic neurotransmission. Its quaternary ammonium character is particularly relevant when investigating compounds with limited penetration across the blood-brain barrier compared with tertiary amine analogues.
N-Methyl Scopolamine and its pharmaceutical salts are generally handled as solid crystalline materials. Because the compound may be supplied in different salt or hydration forms, appearance, water content and molecular weight should be confirmed against the specific material specification.
A controlled N-Methyl Scopolamine manufacturing process may involve:
Typical N-Methyl Scopolamine API testing may include:
Store N-Methyl Scopolamine in a tightly closed container under controlled pharmaceutical storage conditions, protected from excessive moisture, heat and direct light. Final storage conditions should be based on validated stability data and the applicable approved specification.
N-Methyl Scopolamine is relevant to research involving:
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White crystalline powder or crystals |
| Identification | IR & HPLC compliant |
| Assay (HPLC) | 98.0% – 102.0% |
| Loss on Drying | NMT 1.0% |
| Residue on Ignition | NMT 0.5% |
| Heavy Metals | NMT 20 ppm |
| Individual Impurity | NMT 0.5% |
| Total Impurities | NMT 1.0% |
| Water Content | NMT 1.0% |