[7] Application of hydroxyamphetamine to the eye can indicate whether the lesion is preganglionic or postganglionic based on the pupil's response.

If it is intended as an immediate follow up to another mydriatic drug (cocaine or apraclonidine), then the patient must wait anywhere from a day to a week before hydroxyamphetamine can be administered.

[7][8] Hydroxyamphetamine is a component of two controlled (prescription only), name-brand ophthalmic mydriatics: Paredrine and Paremyd.

[10] Hydroxyamphetamine acts as an indirect sympathomimetic and induces the release of norepinephrine which leads to mydriasis (pupil dilation).

[11] The drug produces the head-twitch response, a behavioral proxy of psychedelic effects, when it is given by intracerebroventricular injection in animals.

[citation needed] The inhibition of MAO-A prevents metabolism of serotonin and catecholamines in the presynaptic terminal, and thus increases the amount of neurotransmitters available for release into the synaptic cleft.

In humans, amphetamine is metabolized to hydroxyamphetamine by CYP2D6, which is a member of the cytochrome P450 superfamily and is found in the liver.

[1][2][3][29] The drug is sold under brand names including Paredrine, Paredrinex, Paremyd, Pedrolon, and Mycadrine.