Higenamine HCl Research Reference

Catalog classification, reference sizes, lab math links, and source-backed data. Educational use only — not medical advice.

Researched for: higenamine exposure and doping risk

General Compounds compound PowderCapsule verified

Also known as: Norcoclaurine hydrochloride

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Quick Facts

Reference Sizes

1 g, 5 g

Storage

Store dry and protected from light according to the supplier certificate

Solubility

Hydrochloride salt is water soluble; raw supplement identity and purity vary

Catalog Description

Higenamine is a non-selective beta-2 adrenergic agonist, naturally occurring in several plants and documented as a contaminant in some beetroot-containing 'foodstuffs' and other supplements, raising unintentional-doping concerns. It was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list under category S3 (beta-2 agonists) in 2017. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in twelve recreational female basketball players assessed the ergogenic effects and safety profile of a single-component higenamine supplement over 3 weeks.

Catalog descriptions reflect research context only. Not a medical claim or treatment recommendation.

Research Profile

Half-Life

0.133 hours or about 8 minutes after IV higenamine hydrochloride in ten healthy adults

Onset

Heart-rate effects occurred during and shortly after IV administration

Administration Routes (Research)

IV in Phase 1 researchOral in dietary-supplement studies

Reported Research Effects

Non-selective beta-2 adrenergic agonism
WADA-prohibited (S3 category) since 2017 - critical compliance note for any athlete-facing content
Assessed for ergogenic/exercise-performance effects in a 3-week RCT

Reported Research Side Effects

Increased heart rate
Palpitations
Blood-pressure effects
Adrenergic interaction risk
Unpredictable supplement exposure

Data source: Human Phase 1 PK, randomized oral study, supplement testing, and anti-doping status

Reflects preclinical/research literature context only. Not a medical claim, dosing instruction, or treatment recommendation.

Research Protocols Reported in the Literature

22.5 mcg/kg as escalating short infusions in a Phase 1 PK study [IV; Single study visit; Escalating 3-minute infusions]Source: PMID 24513626
75 mg daily divided into three doses [Oral; 21 days; Three times daily]Source: small sports trial PMID 34557123

Research Interactions

Flagged Avoid / Caution Combinations (Research)

Other stimulants or sympathomimetics
Competitive sport because higenamine is WADA-prohibited

Reflects patterns reported in research/community literature only. Not a safety guarantee, medical advice, or interaction warning for human use.

Research Notes

Analysis of 24 U.S. supplements found trace to 62 mg per serving and none of the five quantified labels was accurate. WADA has prohibited higenamine at all times since 2017.

Supplementary research context only. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation.

Sources

Higenamine Phase 1 PK and PD — PubMed Central (NIH)
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4011356/

Higenamine supplement content analysis — PubMed (NIH)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30188222/

Higenamine sports trial — PubMed (NIH)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34557123/

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Research Use Only. All content is for educational and research reference only. Not medical advice, a treatment recommendation, or guidance on human use. Compounds are not FDA-approved drugs unless specifically noted.