Alpha blockers

Background

• Also known as α-blockers
  • α₁-blockers act on α₁-adrenoceptors
  • α₂-blockers act on α₂-adrenoceptors
• Act as neutral antagonists or inverse agonists of α-adrenergic receptors (α-adrenoceptors)

Medications

Non-selective

• Phenoxybenzamine
• Phentolamine
• Tolazoline
• Trazodone
• Typical and atypical antipsychotics

Selective α₁

• Alfuzosin
• Doxazosin
• Prazosin (inverse agonist)
• Tamsulosin
• Terazosin
• Silodosin

Selective α₂

• Atipamezole
• Idazoxan
• Mirtazapine
• Yohimbine

Mixed

• The agents carvedilol and labetalol are both α- and β-blockers.

Uses

• hypertension
• Raynaud’s disease
• scleroderma
• generalized anxiety disorder
• panic disorder
• posttraumatic stress disorder
• benign prostatic hyperplasia

See also

• Antihypertensive medications
• Beta blocker
• Yohimbine toxicity