Central-acting agents are medicines that lower heart rate and reduce blood pressure. They block the signals from the brain to the nervous system that increase the heart rate and narrow blood vessels. As a result, the heart does not pump as hard. Blood flows more easily through the body's veins and arteries. This lowers blood pressure.
Central-acting agents also are called:
- Central adrenergic inhibitors.
- Central alpha agonists.
- Central agonists.
Several central-acting agents are available. The best one for you depends on your health and the condition being treated.
Examples of central-acting agents include:
- Clonidine (Kapvay, Nexiclon XR).
- Guanfacine (Intuniv).
- Methyldopa.
Central-acting agents are often prescribed in combination with other medicines if other medicines have not helped lower blood pressure.
Central-acting agents also may be used to prevent, treat or improve symptoms of other heath conditions, such as:
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- Drug withdrawal, such as from opioid pain medicines.
- Hot flashes in menopause.
- Tourette syndrome.
Central-acting agents can have strong side effects. Possible side effects include:
- Slow heart rate.
- Constipation.
- Dizziness.
- Extreme sleepiness.
- Dry mouth.
- Extreme tiredness.
- Fever.
- Headache.
- Trouble getting erections, also called erectile dysfunction or impotence.
Suddenly stopping a central-acting agent can cause a dangerous increase in blood pressure. Do not stop taking these medicines without talking to a health care professional.
Talk to your health care team if you have any questions about the medicines you take.
Show References
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- Types of blood pressure medications. American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/changes-you-can-make-to-manage-high-blood-pressure/types-of-blood-pressure-medications. Accessed April 20, 2023.
- Libby P, et al., eds. Systemic hypertension: Mechanisms, diagnosis, and treatment. In: Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 12th ed. Elsevier; 2022. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed April 20, 2023.
- Krull KR, et al. Pharmacology of drugs used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed April 20, 2023.
- Sevarino KA. Medically supervised opioid withdrawal during treatment for addiction. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed April 20, 2023.
- Yu ASL, et al., eds. Antihypertensive therapy. In: Brenner & Rector's The Kidney. 11th ed. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed April 19, 2023.
- Whelton PK, et al. 2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA guideline for the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Hypertension. 2018; doi:10.1161/HYP.0000000000000065.
Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-depth/high-blood-pressure-medication/ART-20044451