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Antiadrenergic agents, peripherally acting

What are Antiadrenergic agents, peripherally acting?

Alpha adrenoreceptor antagonists prevent the stimulation of alpha-adrenergic receptors at the nerve endings of the sympathetic nervous system. There are two types of alpha-adrenergic receptors, alpha 1 (on the vascular smooth muscle) and alpha 2 (on the vascular smooth muscle and sympathetic nerve terminals).

Alpha-adrenoreceptor antagonists are classed either as non-selective alpha adrenoreceptor antagonists, alpha1-selective antagonists, alpha2-selective antagonists and ergot derivatives.

The medicines used as cardiovascular agents are alpha1-selective antagonists. Alpha1-selective antagonists block the alpha adrenoreceptors on the vascular smooth muscle and widen the arteries, causing vasodilatation and a drop in blood pressure. These agents are used to treat hypertension.

Alpha1-receptor antagonists also cause relaxation of the smooth muscle of the bladder neck and prostate capsule. The longer acting alpha1 antagonists are used to treat urinary retention related to benign prostate hypertrophy.

List of Antiadrenergic agents, peripherally acting

View by  Brand | Generic
Drug Name Avg. Rating Reviews
Hytrin
Generic name: terazosin
7.3
15 reviews
Minipress (Pro)
Generic name: prazosin
8.0
14 reviews
Cardura (Pro)
Generic name: doxazosin
8.0
6 reviews
Cardura XL (Pro)
Generic name: doxazosin
7.3
3 reviews
Vecamyl (Pro)
Generic name: mecamylamine
No reviews
Ismelin
Generic name: guanethidine
No reviews
Hylorel
Generic name: guanadrel
No reviews
For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).

See also

Medical conditions treated or associated with antiadrenergic agents, peripherally acting:

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.