• Guanabenz acetate is a new centrally acting α2-adrenergic agonist. Seventeen hypertensive men, in whom BP was normalized with guanabenz, underwent assessment of renal function, renal hemodynamics, and body fluid composition following short-term (three to six weeks), long-term (five to six months), and withdrawal (two weeks) therapy. Guanabenz therapy caused a modest but reversible reduction in glomerular filtration rate (12% to 18%), effective renal plasma flow (9% to 17%), and renal blood flow (12% to 20%). Renal vascular resistance was unchanged. Guanabenz therapy had no significant natriuretic or antinatriuretic effects in patients with an effective BP decrease, although it had the ability to produce and sustain a water diuresis. Guanabenz therapy was not associated with salt and water increases within body fluid compartments. Guanabenz, in some patients, is an effective monotherapy for the treatment of hypertension.
(Arch Intern Med 1983;143:1163-1167)