Guanabenz
Medication used to treat high blood pressure
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Guanabenz (pronounced GWAHN-a-benz, sold under the trade name Wytensin) is an alpha agonist that is selective to the alpha-2 adrenergic receptor. Guanabenz is used as an antihypertensive drug used in the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension).[1][2]
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| Trade names | Wytensin |
| AHFS/Drugs.com | Consumer Drug Information |
| MedlinePlus | a686003 |
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| Protein binding | 90% |
| Elimination half-life | 6 hours |
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| ECHA InfoCard | 100.023.410 |
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| Formula | C8H8Cl2N4 |
| Molar mass | 231.08 g·mol−1 |
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The most common side effects during guanabenz therapy are dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, headache and weakness.[3]
Guanabenz can make one drowsy or less alert, therefore driving or operating dangerous machinery is not recommended.
Research
Guanabenz also has some anti-inflammatory properties in different pathological situations, including multiple sclerosis.[4]
Guanabenz was found in one study to exert an inhibitory effect by decreasing the abundance of the enzyme CH25H, a cholesterol hydroxylase linked to antiviral immunity. Therefore, it is suggested that the drug and similar compounds could be used to treat type I interferon-dependent pathologies and that the CH25H enzyme could be a therapeutic target to control these diseases,[5] including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
In another study, guanabenz was found to potentially slow down Vanishing white matter disease (VWM)[6]