Centrally acting anti adrenergic drugs

Centrally acting anti adrenergic drugs

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Centrally acting antiadrenergic drugs (methyldopa, clonidine, moxonidine) cause stimulation of alpha2 adrenoceptors in the brain, thus reducing sympathetic outflow and blunting reflexes involving sympathetic efferents. They result in arteriolar and venous dilation with unchanged or reduced heart rate or cardiac output. They can be used alone to reduce blood pressure, or may be used to prevent reflex increase in heart rate and cardiac output caused by vasodilators. Although not considered first-line agents in the management of hypertension generally, methyldopa and clonidine are still used in the treatment of hypertension of pregnancy.