Mecamylamine (Inversine): an old antihypertensive with new research directions.

Article Details

Citation

Shytle RD, Penny E, Silver AA, Goldman J, Sanberg PR

Mecamylamine (Inversine): an old antihypertensive with new research directions.

J Hum Hypertens. 2002 Jul;16(7):453-7.

PubMed ID
12080428 [ View in PubMed
]
Abstract

Mecamylamine (Inversine), the first orally available antihypertensive agent, is now rarely used. Although celebrated in the 1950s, mecamylamine fell out of favour because of its widespread ganglionic side effects at antihypertensive doses (30-90 mg/day). However, recent studies suggest that mecamylamine is very effective at relatively low doses (2.5-5 mg b.i.d.) for blocking the physiological effects of nicotine and improving abstinence rates in smoking cessation studies, particularly for women. When these lower doses of mecamylamine are given, patients do not experience the severity of side effects that made the drug unpopular for the treatment of hypertension. Tobacco smoking is a strong risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity, including accelerated atherosclerosis and increased risk of heart attacks. Though currently untested, the available evidence suggests that low-dose mecamylamine therapy might reduce blood pressure variability and atherogenetic lipid profile in smokers. With this in mind, mecamylamine should be an important research tool in the field of hypertension research, particularly in recalcitrant smokers with mild to moderate hypertension.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drug Targets
DrugTargetKindOrganismPharmacological ActionActions
MecamylamineNeuronal acetylcholine receptor subunit alpha-2ProteinHumans
Yes
Antagonist
Details