Laboratory and Clinical Observations on Mecamylamine as a Hypotensive Agent. ∗

Abstract

Summary and Conclusions

Mecamylamine produced the same cardiovascular and renal hemodynamic effects on dogs as have been previously observed with such autonomic blocking agents as hexamethonium and pento-linium. When given to patients with hypertension, it produced a consistent reduction in blood pressure which was most marked in the upright position. The effect was about equivalent when given orally as when given parenteral^ the average daily dose being approximately 19 mg. The onset of action ranged from 1/2 to 2 hours, and lasted 12 to 48 hours. The response was quite variable from patient to patient, but within the same patient, it was reproducible, thus minimizing one of the chief objections to ganglionic blocking agents for the treatment of hypertension.