How moxonidine works
Like many drugs for cardiovascular diseases, moxonidine acts on the so-called sympathetic nervous system (sympathetic nervous system for short). This part of the autonomic nervous system sets the body’s organs to perform:
The antagonist of the sympathetic nervous system is the parasympathetic nervous system, which provides rest, regeneration and increased digestion.
Via certain docking sites (receptors) on the medulla oblongata, the imidazoline receptors, moxonidine mediates a sympatholytic effect. Since the sympathetic nervous system is often upregulated in hypertension for no apparent reason, the drug can thus be used to lower blood pressure.
Absorption, degradation and excretion
Moxonidine is excreted largely unchanged in the urine. A small proportion – around ten to twenty percent – is previously metabolized to ineffective degradation products. About two to three hours after ingestion, half of the active substance is excreted again (half-life).
When is moxonidine used?
How moxonidine is used
The antihypertensive drug is taken in the form of tablets. The daily dose is 0.2 to a maximum of 0.6 milligrams of moxonidine. Treatment is usually started by taking 0.2 milligrams per day, in the morning, regardless of a meal.
Discontinuation of the drug (like the initial increase in dose) should be done slowly. In fact, sudden discontinuation may result in a sudden and rapid increase in blood pressure (so-called “rebound” effect).
In patients with renal dysfunction, the dosage must be reduced.
What are the side effects of moxonidine?
By far the most common side effect is dry mouth, which occurs in more than ten percent of patients.
What should be considered when taking moxonidine?
Contraindications
Moxonidine must not be taken by:
- hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the components of the drug
- certain forms of cardiac arrhythmia
- slowed heartbeat (bradycardia), i.e., less than 50 heartbeats per minute
- heart failure (heart failure)
Drug interactions
Moxonidine may increase the effect of sedative drugs and stimulants taken at the same time, such as agents for depression (like tricyclic antidepressants), sedatives and sleeping pills (like benzodiazepines), and alcohol.
Moxonidine is excreted by the kidneys. It may interact with other drugs that are also excreted by the kidneys.
Age restriction
Pregnancy and lactation
There are insufficient data on the use of moxonidine in pregnancy. Therefore, the active substance should be taken by pregnant women only if absolutely necessary from the medical point of view.
Since moxonidine passes into breast milk, if use is absolutely necessary, weaning is recommended.
Agents of choice for the treatment of hypertension in pregnancy and lactation are alpha-methyldopa and metoprolol.
Preparations containing the active ingredient moxonidine are available in pharmacies and on prescription in Germany, Austria and Switzerland in any dosage and must therefore be prescribed by a doctor.
Since when is moxonidine known?
The antihypertensive drug was patented as early as 1980. In the meantime, generic drugs with the active ingredient moxonidine are also sold.
