Centrally-Acting Alpha Adrenergic lowers blood pressure by decreasing certain chemicals in the blood to relax blood vessels, and thus eases heartbeat.
Other clinical uses include treatment of alcohol withdrawal, pediatric pre-anesthetic, for pediatric postoperative pain control, treatment of migraine headaches, nicotine addiction, menopausal flushing, attention-deficit disorder, and pediatric panic and anxiety disorders.
Centrally-acting alpha adrenergic medications
Central agonists help decrease the blood vessels' ability to contract. The central agonists follow a different nerve pathway than the alpha and beta-blockers, still perform the same goal of lowering blood pressure.
Commonly prescribed centrally-acting alpha adrenergic medications on the market, include:
- Alpha methyldopa (brand name: Aldomet)
- Clonidine hydrochloride (brand name: Catapres)
- Guanabenz acetate (brand name: Wytensin)
- Guanfacine hydrochloride (brand name: Tenex)
Who should avoid centrally-acting alpha adrenergic?
Avoid centrally-acting alpha adrenergic, if you are pregnant or nursing women, have heart disease, recent heart attack, or kidney disease. Drinking alcohol may make side effects worse.
What are the side effects of centrally-acting alpha adrenergic?
A greater drop in blood pressure in an upright position (standing or walking), dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, upset stomach, tired, drowsiness, fever or anemia, or faint.
Do not stop this drug suddenly, because your blood pressure may rise quickly to dangerously high levels (rebound hypertension).
What are the warning signs of centrally-acting alpha adrenergic?
Consult a doctor immediately if you are having: fainting, irregular heartbeat, fever, swollen ankles or feet.