title: Central sympatholytic drugs.
abstract: •  Central sympatholytic drugs reduce blood pressure mainly by stimulating central α(2) -adrenergic receptors in the brainstem centers, thereby reducing sympathetic nerve activity and neuronal release of norepinephrine to the heart and peripheral circulation. •  This class of drugs, however, is currently used mainly as fourth-line (or beyond) drug therapy for hypertension because of side effects of drowsiness, fatigue, and dry mouth. •  Rebound hypertension is also another major concern in certain drugs with a short half-life, particularly in patients who are nonadherent to the regimen. Therefore, their use on a "PRN" basis for treatment of blood pressure surge in the absence of symptoms or acute target complications should also be avoided.
authors: Hypertension Section, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA. wanpen.vongpatanasin@utsouthwestern.edu
authors: Wanpen
authors: W
authors: Vongpatanasin
authors: Kazuomi
authors: K
authors: Kario
authors: Steven A
authors: SA
authors: Atlas
authors: Ronald G
authors: RG
authors: Victor
mesh_terms: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018341:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2 / Q000187:drug effects; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects; D013565:Sympatholytics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D018341:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2; D013565:Sympatholytics