Isolated agents included adrenergic drugs such as adrenaline and ephedrine, anticholinergic agents such as atropine and scopolamine, the expectorant acetylcysteine, and theophylline.

It is the isobutyl side chain homologue of amitriptyline and produces similar effects to it, but with less marked side effects like sedation and interactions with adrenergic drugs.

Overhead, three huge brown pelicans wheeled and folded their wings, plummeting into the water to snatch up fish; they had been treated with adrenergic drugs, Risa knew, so they'd stay hungry all afternoon and stage a good show for the guests.