Guancydine, a new hypotensive agent with complex action

Guancydine (1-cyano-3-tert-amylguanidine) lowered within normal limits the tensional values in an interval of four hours after its administration in eight out of nine hypertensive patients under experiment. The hypotensive effect of a single oral dose of 500-750 mg persists for about 6-7 hours after its administration. Guancydine does not impair the vasopressor response to angiotensin II but reduces the action of this peptide on the excretion of water, Na, K and Ca through urine. The hypotensive effect of Guancydine is associated with a decrease of platelet adhesiveness and an activation of fibrinolysis. In view of this fact, Guancydine might play a role in the prophylaxis of complications of arterial hypertension - atherosclerosis and trombosis. The increase of venous blood oxygenation after Guancydine could be attributed to the opening of arterio-venous shunts or to the reduction of tissular extraction of oxygen. Guancydine does not seem to be toxic. It produced, in some patients, slight headache and orthostatic hypotension, especially during the first hours after administration.