Sympatholytics

Products

Sympatholytics are commercially available in the form of tablets, capsules, as injectables, and eye drops, among others.

Effects

Sympatholytics have sympatholytic properties, meaning that they abolish the effects of the sympathetic nervous system, a portion of the autonomic nervous system. Their effects are usually due to direct antagonism at adrenoceptors. Indirect sympatholytics reduce the concentration of the neurotransmitters epinephrine and norepinephrine.

Indications

Indications for use include (selection):

• Hypertension
• Prostate enlargement
• Glaucoma
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Agents

Examples are listed below. For complete information, see the active ingredients and drug groups. Alpha blockers:

• Alfuzosin (Xatral, generic).
• Tamsulosin (Pradif, generics)
• Terazosin (Hytrin)

Beta blockers:

• Atenolol (Tenormin, generic).
• Bisoprolol (Concor, generic)
• Metoprolol (Beloc ZOK, generics)
• Propranolol (Inderal, generic)

Central antisympathetic agents:

• Clonidine (catapresan).
• Guanfacine (Intuniv)
• Methyldopa (Aldomet)

Other:

• Some antidepressants have sympatholytic properties.