Guanethidine in the Treatment of Hypertension

Abstract

Guanethidine is a sympatholytic agent with a hypotensive potency similar to that of the ganglion-blocking compounds. Its effectiveness is further enhanced by the concomitant administration of thiazide derivatives. The decrease in blood pressure obtained with guanethidine is chiefly a postural response. A lower incidence of side effects has been observed with guanethidine than with the ganglionoplegic drugs. Results of a study by the authors have shown that guanethidine is particularly promising for patients with the more severe elevations of diastolic blood pressure.