Unitensen: Full Drug Profile

Unitensen - General Information

Unitensen is a mixture of closely related hypotensive alkaloids from Veratrum album (Liliaceae). It has been used in the treatment of hypertension but has largely been replaced by drugs with fewer adverse effects. Unitensen has a marked and re-producible depressor effect when given intravenously to hypertensive patients, however the mechanism of action is not known.

Pharmacology of Unitensen

Unitensen is a mixture of closely related hypotensive alkaloids from Veratrum album (Liliaceae). It has been used in the treatment of hypertension but has largely been replaced by drugs with fewer adverse effects.

Additional information about Unitensen

Unitensen Indication

For the treatment of hypertension.

Mechanism Of Action

Unitensen has a marked and re-producible depressor effect when given intravenously to hypertensive patients, however the mechanism of action is not known. Some evidence has suggested that cryptenamine acts in a similar fashion to atropine, which lowers the "rest and digest" activity of all muscles and glands regulated by the parasympathetic nervous system. This occurs because atropine is a competitive inhibitor of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter used by the parasympathetic nervous system). Therefore muscarinic acetylcholine receptors will be listed as experimental targets for cryptenamine.

Generic Name

Cryptenamine

Drug Category

Antihypertensive Agents

Drug Type

Small Molecule; Approved

Other Brand Names containing Cryptenamine

Unitensen;

Chemical Formula

C28H46O10N

Organisms Affected

Humans and other mammals