Betanidine

Intravenous
Ventricular tachycardia

Phaeochromocytoma, heart failure not caused by hypertension.

Renal impairment, cerebrovascular disorders, ischaemic heart disease, history of peptic ulceration or asthma. Hypotensive effect may be increased by exercise and heat. Increased risk of CV collapse or cardiac arrest in patients undergoing surgery.

Severe postural and exertional hypotension, diarrhoea, dizziness, syncope, muscle weakness, lassitude, angina, renal insufficiency, transient cerebral ischaemia, bradycardia, failure of ejaculation, fatigue, headache, salt and water retention, oedema, breathlessness, overt heart failure, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, nasal congestion, parotid tenderness, blurring of vision, depression, myalgia, muscle tremor, paraesthesias, hair loss, dermatitis, disturbed micturition, priapism, aggravation or precipitation of asthma, exacerbation of peptic ulcer, haematological effects.

Adrenaline, amfetamine, other sympathomimetics, TCAs, MAOIs, phenothiazine derivatives and related antipsychotics, oral contraceptives, digoxin or other digitalis derivatives, thiazide diuretics, other antihypertensives, levodopa, alcohol.

Description: Betanidine acts by selectively inhibiting transmission in postganglionic adrenergic nerves. It acts mainly by preventing the release of noradrenaline at nerve endings; it causes depletion of noradrenaline stores in the peripheral sympathetic nerve terminals. It does not prevent the release of catecholamines by the adrenal medulla.

Other Antihypertensives