Adrenergic Neuron Blocking Agents - Sympatholytic Drug Cardiovascular Poison

Adrenergic Neuron Blocking Agents

Guanethidine and guanedrel interfere with the action poten- tial that triggers the release of noradrenaline, while reserpinedepletes noradrenaline and other catecholamines from the nerve end terminals. Guanadrel is a sympatholytic agent with similar pharmacologic properties as guanethidine. It is one-third as potent as guanethidine on a weight basis, has a shorter onset, longer duration of action, and may be less likely to produce orthostatic hypotension.

Guanethidine is a potent antihypertensive agent for moderate to severe hypertension. It is also used in the treatment of renal hypertension, including that secondary to pyelone- phritis, renal amyloidosis, and renal artery stenosis. Guanadrel is used to treat mild to severe hypertension. Both are however not popular in India.