Sympatholytic Agents

Question 1

guanethidine

Answer 1

reduces release of NE

uptake by NET into nerve
-replaces NE in nerve terminal vesicles

charged - does not enter CNS

antihypertensive

Question 2

guanadrel

Answer 2

reduce release of NE

uptake by NE pump
-displaces NE in nerve terminal vesicles

similar to guanethidine - but rapid, shorter duration, less side effects

antihypertensive

Question 3

bretylium

Answer 3

reduce release of NE

antiarrhythmic agent

also blocks K+ channels

acute management of V-tach and V-fib

Question 4

reserpine

Answer 4

blocks VMAT transporter - of NE, serotonin, and dopamine

antipsychotic and antihypertensive

side effects - not used today often

Question 5

clonidine

Answer 5

alpha2 agonist

Tx for HTN, ADHD, anxiety, withdrawal, migraine

increase BP (peripheral alpha2) followed by decrease BP (central alpha2)

sudden withdrawal - hypertensive crisis

Question 6

clonidine suppression test

Answer 6

investigatory test for pheochromocytoma
-reduce circulating epinephrine via central mechanism

positive test - no decrease in plasma levels of epinephrine 3 hours after clonidine administration

Question 7

methyldopa

Answer 7

centrally acting alpha2 agonist

stored in vessels instead of NE

Tx for HTN and pre-eclampsia

psych side effects

drug of choice for pregnant females with HTN

Question 8

guanabenz

Answer 8

central alpha 2 agonist

antihypertensive

Question 9

cocaine

Answer 9

inhibits uptake of NE