Guanabenz

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]

Guanabenz

Clinical data
Trade names	Wytensin
AHFS/Drugs.com	Consumer Drug Information
MedlinePlus	a686003
ATC code	none
Pharmacokinetic data
Protein binding	90%
Elimination half-life	6 hours
Identifiers
IUPAC name 2-(2,6-dichlorobenzylidene)hydrazinecarboximidamide
CAS Number	5051-62-7
PubChem CID	5702063
IUPHAR/BPS	5443
DrugBank	DB00629 Y
ChemSpider	4642445 Y
UNII	GGD30112WC
KEGG	D04375 Y
ChEMBL	ChEMBL420 Y
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID6045666
ECHA InfoCard	100.023.410
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C8H8Cl2N4
Molar mass	231.08 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
SMILES Clc1cccc(Cl)c1\C=N\N=C(/N)N
InChI InChI=1S/C8H8Cl2N4/c9-6-2-1-3-7(10)5(6)4-13-14-8(11)12/h1-4H,(H4,11,12,14)/b13-4+ Y Key:WDZVGELJXXEGPV-YIXHJXPBSA-N Y
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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.

See also

• Guanoxabenz
• Guanfacine