Phenoxybenzamine

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Phenoxybenzamine chemical structure Phenoxybenzamine
benzyl(ethyl)(1-phenoxypropan-2-yl)amine IUPAC name
CAS number 59-96-1	ATC code C04AX02
PubChem 4768	DrugBank APRD00651
Chemical formula	{{{chemical_formula}}}
Molecular weight	303.826 g/mol
Bioavailability
Metabolism
Elimination half-life	24 hours
Excretion	{{{excretion}}}
Pregnancy category	C (U.S.)
Legal status
Routes of administration	Oral

Phenoxybenzamine (marketed under the trade name Dibenzyline) is a non-specific, irreversible alpha blocker.

Uses

It is used in the treatment of hypertension, and specifically that caused by pheochromocytoma. It has a slower onset and a longer lasting effect compared with other alpha blockers.

It was also the first alpha blocker to be used for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, although it is currently seldom used for that indication due to unfavourable side effects.

It has been used in the treatment of hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

It is also used in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type 1 due to it's anti-adrenergic affects. It has shown to be beneficial if used in the first 3 months of CRPS diagnosis.

Pharmacology

Phenoxybenzamine is used as an anti-hypertensive due to its efficacy in reducing the vasoconstriction caused by adrenaline and noradrenaline. Phenoxybenzamine forms a permanent covalent bond with adrenergic receptors. Based on what we know about the structures of these receptors, it likely involves attack by the cysteine at position 3.36 in transmembrane helix 3 to form a stable linkage. Thus, it remains permanently bound to the receptor, preventing adrenaline and noradrenaline from binding. This causes vasodilatation in blood vessels, due to its antagonistic effect at the alpha-1 adrenoceptor found in the walls of blood vessels, resulting in a drop in blood pressure.

It will also affect the postsynaptic alpha 1 and 2 receptors in the nervous system, and so reduce sympathetic activity. This results in further vasodilation, pupil constriction, an increase in GI tract motility and secretions, and glycogen synthesis.

It also has partial agonist/antagonist properties at the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor.

References

Template:Peripheral vasodilators Template:Alpha blockers