What is "cirazoline"

n. A non-selective agonist of the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor and antagonist to the alpha-2 adrenergic receptor, thus possibly an effective vasoconstrictor.

Cirazoline is a full agonist at the α adrenergic receptor, a partial agonist at both the α and α adrenergic receptors, and a nonselective antagonist to the α adrenergic receptor. It is believed that this combination of properties could make cirazoline an effective vasoconstricting agent.

Cirazoline has also been shown to decrease food intake in rats, purportedly through activation of α adrenoceptors in the paraventricular nucleus in the hypothalamus of the brain.