Drug Interaction:
None reported
Indication:
Hypertension
Antiadrenergic Agents- Centrally acting includes- Methyl Dopa, Clonidine, Guannfacine Hcl, Guanabenz Acetate,
Adverse Reaction:
Side effects are dose related. Most common are, drowsiness, sedation, dizziness, weakness, headache. Nasal congestion, blurred vision, gynacomastia, taste disorders, chest pain, edema, arrhythmias, arrhythmias, palpitations. Anxiety, ataxia, depression, sleep disturbances.
Contra-Indications:
Known sensitivity to guanabenz
Special Precautions:
Sedation.- use with in patients with severe coronary insifficiency, recent myocardial infracrion, cererbrovascular disease or severe hepatic or renal failure. Monitor blood pressure. Rebound- sudden cessation of therapy .
Dosages/ Overdosage Etc:
Indications:
Hypertension
Dosage:
Individualise dosage.
Initial- 4mg twice daily, whether used alone or with a thiazide diuretic, increase in increments of 4 to 8 mg per day every 1 to 2 weeks.
Patient Information:
GUANABENZ - ANTIHYPERTENSIVES
Excercise caution while operating dangerous machinery or driving motor vehicles.
1. Allergy- Tell your doctor if you had any unusual reations to the medicine, or food substances, preservatives, dyestuffs.
2. Pregnancy- Not studied inpregnant women. However studies n rats have shown that guanibenz given in does 9 to 10 times the human dose, caused decrease in fertility
3. Breast feeding- Not known whether guanfacine passes into breast milk. However medicines reported to cause problems in nursing babies
4. Children- Studies done only on adult patients. No specific information comparing use in children
5. Older adults- Dizziness, drowsiness, faintnes may be more likely to occur in the elderly who are more sensitive
6. Other medicines- Tell your doctor if you are taking other prescription medicines especially- Beta blockers - risk of unwanted efects when guanabenz is stopped suddenly may be increased
7. Other medical problems- Tell your doctor if you are having other medical problems especially- Heart disease or blood vessel disease - lowering of blood pressure may make some conditions worse. Kidney diseases- or Liver disease - effects of gunabenz may be increased because of slower removal from the body
8. Dosing- Follow doctors instructions
9. Missed dose- If you miss a dose of this medicine take it as soon as possible. However if it is almost time for your next dose go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
10. Storage- Keep the medicines out of reach of children Store the medicines away heat and direct light Do not store tablets or capsules in the bath room, in damp places near the kitchen sink Heat and dampness will cause the medicines to break down
Pharmacology/ Pharmacokinetics:
Antiadrenergic Agents- Centrally acting includes- Methyl Dopa, Clonidine, Guannfacine Hcl, Guanabenz Acetate,
Pharmacology:
Guanabenz is an orally active alpha adrenergic agonist. Its antihypertensive action appears mediated via stimulation of central alpha adrenergic receptors resulting in decreased sympathetic outflow from the brain.
Pharmacokinetics:
Peak plasma concentrations of unchannged drug occur between 2 and 5 hours after a single dose.
Interaction with Food:
Not known
Pregnancy and lactation:
Pregnancy:
Use guanabenz during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Lactation:
Do not administer to nursing mothes.
Children:
Safety and efficacy for use in children less than 12 years have not been established. Use in this age group not recomended.