Hexamethonium
3167572
206001295
2008-04-16T11:59:07Z
82.10.211.207
{{Unreferenced|date=December 2007}}
{{Chembox new
|ImageFile=Hexamethonium.png
|ImageSize=200px
|IUPACName=trimethyl-(6-trimethylammoniohexyl)ammonium
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|Section1= {{Chembox Identifiers
| CASNo=
| PubChem=3604
| SMILES=C[N+](C)(C)CCCCCC[N+](C)(C)C
}}
|Section2= {{Chembox Properties
| Formula=C<sub>12</sub>H<sub>30</sub>N<sub>2</sub><sup>2+</sup>
| MolarMass=202.38
| Appearance=
| Density=
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|Section3= {{Chembox Hazards
| MainHazards=
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'''Hexamethonium''' is a neuronal [[acetylcholine receptor|nAch]] (N<sub>N</sub>) receptor [[Receptor antagonist|antagonist]] which acts in [[autonomic ganglia]] by binding mostly in or on the N<sub>N</sub> receptor, and not the [[acetylcholine]] binding site itself. It has no effect on the muscarinic acetylcholine receptors ([[mAChR]]) located on target organs of the [[parasympathetic nervous system]], nor the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors at the [[neuromuscular junction]] (N<sub>M</sub>) that are responsible for skeletal muscle motor response.
It can act on receptors at pre-ganglionic sites in both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, which are both regulated (again, only pre-ganglionically) by nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Postganglionic sympathetic systems are usually regulated by [[norepinephrine]] or adrenaline (adrenergic receptors), while parasympathetic systems are still acetylcholine based, but 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. 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 [1]
The use of hexamethonium, an unapproved drug, in a normal volunteer during a medical study is believed to have caused her death.[http://newsbreaks.infotoday.com/nbreader.asp?ArticleID=17534]
Reference: Hardman et al., Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 10th edition, 2001, pp 210-211.
==See also==
* [[Decamethonium]]
[[Category:Quaternary ammonium compounds]]
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