A ganglion-blocking quaternary ammonium compound.
Hexamethonium
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| Hexamethonium | |
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| IUPAC name |
N,N,N,N',N',N'-hexamethylhexane-1,6-diaminium
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| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | 60-26-4 |
| PubChem | 3604 |
| SMILES |
C[N+](C)(C)CCCCCC[N+](C)(C)C
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| Properties | |
| Molecular formula | C12H30N2 |
| Molar mass | 202.38 g mol−1 |
| Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) | |
| Infobox references | |
Hexamethonium is a ganglionic blocker,[1] a neuronal nAch (NN) receptor antagonist that acts in autonomic ganglia by binding mostly in or on the NN receptor, and not the acetylcholine binding site itself. It has effect on neither the muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChR) located on target organs of the parasympathetic nervous system nor the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction (NM) that are responsible for skeletal muscle motor response.
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Pharmacology
It can act on receptors at pre-ganglionic sites in both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, which are both regulated (by nicotinic ligand-gated ionotropic acetylcholine receptors). Postganglionic sympathetic systems are usually regulated by norepinephrine or noradrenaline (adrenergic receptors), whereas parasympathetic systems are still acetylcholine-based, and instead rely on muscarinic receptors (some post-ganglionic sympathetic neurons, such as those stimulating sweating, release acetylcholine).
The organ system and adverse effects of ganglion blockers are because both the parasympathetic and sympathetic stimuli are blocked at the preganglionic sites. Side-effects include combined sympatholytic (e.g., orthostatic hypotension and sexual dysfunction) and parasympatholytic effects (e.g., constipation, urinary retention, glaucoma, blurry vision, decreased lacrymal secretion, dry mouth (xerostomia) effects.
Uses
It was formerly used to treat disorders of the peripheral nervous system, such as chronic hypertension, which is innervated only by the sympathetic nervous system. The non-specificity of this treatment led to discontinuing its use.[2]
The use of inhaled hexamethonium, an unapproved drug, in a normal volunteer during a medical study is believed to have caused her death.[3][4] Her lung tissue reportedly "had the appearance of ground glass."
References
- ^ Sonoyama K, Tajima K, Fujiwara R, Kasai T (March 2000). "Intravenous infusion of hexamethonium and atropine but not propranolol diminishes apolipoprotein A-IV gene expression in rat ileum". The Journal of nutrition 130 (3): 637–41. PMID 10702597. http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=10702597.
- ^ Hardman et al., Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 10th edition, 2001, pp 210-211.
- ^ "Johns Hopkins’ Tragedy: Could Librarians Have Prevented a Death?". http://newsbreaks.infotoday.com/nbreader.asp?ArticleID=17534. Retrieved 2008-10-06.
- ^ Savulescu J, Spriggs M (February 2002). "The hexamethonium asthma study and the death of a normal volunteer in research". Journal of medical ethics 28 (1): 3–4. PMID 11834748. PMC 1733509. http://jme.bmj.com/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=11834748.
See also
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Learn More
 | quaternary ammonium salt (organic chemistry) |
| ganglion blocking |
| autonomic |
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 | Veterinary Dictionary. Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary 3rd Edition. Copyright © 2007 by D.C. Blood, V.P. Studdert and C.C. Gay, Elsevier. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Hexamethonium". Read more |
