Alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists in the treatment of hypertension

Alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists are effective antihypertensive drugs that may provide particular advantages in the treatment of many types of patients. Of those now available, guanabenz has been shown to lower serum cholesterol concentration and not to cause sodium and water retention, offering additional protection against some of the metabolic side effects often seen with diuretics and beta-blockers.