Guanethidine

Guanethidine

Clinical data
ATC code	C02CC02 (WHO) S01EX01 (WHO)
Pharmacokinetic data
Elimination half-life	1.5 days
Identifiers
IUPAC name 2-(2-azocan-1-ylethyl)guanidine
CAS Number	645-43-2
PubChem CID	3518
DrugBank	APRD01007
E number	{{#property:P628}}
ECHA InfoCard	{{#property:P2566}}
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C10H22N4
Molar mass	198.309 g/mol

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Guanethidine is an antihypertensive drug that reduces the release of catecholamines, such as noradrenaline. Its mechanism is inhibition of the Mg++ATPase dependent pump. Side effects include orthostatic and exercise hypotension, sexual dysfunction, and diarrhea.

It is no longer available in the US due to side effects and because substantially better drugs are available. It is still licensed in some countries, e.g. UK, for the rapid control of blood pressure in a hypertensive emergency.