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 |OtherNames= |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= | MeltingPt= | BoilingPt= | Solubility= }} |Section3= {{Chembox Hazards | MainHazards= | FlashPt= | Autoignition= }} }} '''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]] {{chem-stub}}