Question

1. Why is clonidine considered a sympatholytic drug and not a sympathomimetic (i.e., a drug that activates the sympathetic nervous system)?

2. How does clonidine act to lower a patient’s blood pressure? What side effects would a nurse anticipate observing in a patient diagnosed with hypertension who has just been administered clonidine?

Answer 1

1. Why is clonidine considered a sympatholytic drug and not a sympathomimetic (i.e., a drug that activates the sympathetic nervous system)?

Clonidine is considered as sympatholytic drug as it blocks or interrupts adrenergic function and associated signalling. Whereas in case of sympatholytic drug the adrenergic function are enhanced.

2. How does clonidine act to lower a patient’s blood pressure?

Clonidine which is a imidazole derivative acts on the alpha-2 adrenergic as an agonist. The alpha-adrenergic agonist (Clonidine) in the nucleus tractus solitarii in the brain and excites a pathway that inhibits excitatory cardiovascular neurons. Clonidine also has an effect in the posterior hypothalamus and medulla. The final result is reduced sympathetic outflow from the central nervous system, which clinically causes a decrease in arterial blood pressure in the body which is helpful in educing blood pressure.

What side effects would a nurse anticipate observing in a patient diagnosed with hypertension who has just been administered clonidine?

The following are the common side effects associated with clonidine:

1. Dizziness,

2.Dry mouth

3.sleepiness

4. headaches

5. heart arrhythmias

5. Emotional instability