Centrally Acting Sympatholytics (alpha-2 agonist)

Question 1

Clonidine (Catapres)

Answer 1

alpha-2 agonist

• acts as negative feedback for sympathetic outflow
• preserves renal perfusion

Indications:

• Hypertensive urgencies
• Severe Pain (CRPS)
• ADHD
• EtOH, nicotine, opiate withdrawl

Toxicity:

• Bradycardia
• Resp. depression
• Miosis

***Rebound HTN when discontined

Question 2

Methyldopa

Answer 2

alpha-2 agonist

-used for hypertension in pregnancy

Toxicity:

• positive Coombs test
  
  • hemolytic anemia

Question 3

Methyldopa

Answer 3

alpha-2 agonist

-used for hypertension in pregnancy

Toxicity:

• positive Coombs test
  
  • hemolytic anemia

Question 4

Reserpine

Answer 4

adrenergic neuronal blocker

• decrease DA/NE incorporation into vesicles for release
  
  • decreases both CO and TPR
• irreversible depletion of NT–> long lasting effects

Indication
-hypertension

Toxicity:

• postural hypotension
• bradycardia
• fluid retention