Moxonidine is a centrally acting anti-hypertensive used in the treatment of:
Mild to moderate essential or primary hypertension
Used in the treatment of hypertension in
– Diabetic & pre diabetics
– Renal problems
– Obese
– Post Menopausal women
– Left ventricular hypertrophy
3. Adjunct to other anti-hypertensives
4. Adjunct to other alcohol withdrawal therapies
How it works
Moxonidine, a class of imidazoline receptor agonists and centrally-acting anti-adrenergic drug, is prescribed for the treatment and management of hypertension in adults. Moxonidine has been shown to bind to I1-imidazoline receptors and to a lesser extent α2-adrenoreceptors. The therapeutic action of moxonidine appears to result from interaction with I1 and α2-receptors located within the rostral ventrolateral medulla, leading to a reduced activity of sympathetic nerves.
Moxonidine differs from other available centrally acting antihypertensives by exhibiting only low affinity to central α2-adrenoceptors compared to I1-imidazoline receptors; α2-adrenoceptors are considered the molecular target via which sedation and dry mouth, the most common side effects of centrally acting antihypertensives, are mediated. In humans, moxonidine leads to a reduction of systemic vascular resistance and consequently in arterial blood pressure.
Indications
Moxonidine is a centrally acting anti-hypertensive used in the treatment of:
Mild to moderate essential or primary hypertension
Used in the treatment of hypertension in
– Diabetic & pre diabetics
– Renal problems
– Obese
– Post Menopausal women
– Left ventricular hypertrophy
3. Adjunct to other anti-hypertensives
4. Adjunct to other alcohol withdrawal therapies
Dosage
Treatment should be started with 0.2 mg Moxonidine in the morning. The dose may be titrated after two weeks to 0.4 mg given as one dose or as divided doses (morning and evening) until a satisfactory response is achieved. If the response is still unsatisfactory after a further 2 weeks treatment, the dosage can be increased up to a maximum of 0.6 mg in divided doses (morning and evening).
A single daily dose of 0.4 mg and a divided daily dose of 0.6 mg of Moxonidine should not be exceeded.
Moxonidine may be taken with or without food.
Side Effects
Dry mouth, headache, fatigue, dizziness, intermittent facial oedema, nausea, sleep disturbances (rarely sedation), asthenia, vasodilatation, and rarely, skin reactions.
Contraindication
It is contraindicated if there has been a past history of angioedema; heart conduction disorders (e.g. sick sinus syndrome, second- or third-degree heart block); bradycardia; severe heart failure or coronary artery disease. Also: Raynaud’s syndrome, intermittent claudication, epilepsy, depression, Parkinson’s disease, glaucoma. Use in pregnancy is discouraged. Moxonidine passes into breast milk.