Zolertine is an alpha-adrenergic receptor antagonist that acts as an antihypertensive agent. Its effect was studied in animals in vivo and in vitro. Zolertine considerably decreased systemic blood pressure in mecamylamine hypertensive dogs in a dose-related fashion. Using the intravital microscopic method in rat's mesocygeus microvasculature a direct relationship between zolertine dosage and blockade was demonstrated as well as an inverse relationship between time of action of zolertine and percentage of vasoconstriction caused by noradrenaline. When only zolertine was applied, it caused a small vasoconstriction that decreased as its concentration increased which could be due to its ability to antagonize alpha receptor responses, but not beta responses. Zolertine is a more active alpha blocker than azapetin, a blocker used in medical practice. Competition binding experiments using the alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist [3H] prazosin showed a zolertine pKi of 6.81 +/- 0.02 in rat liver (alpha1B-adrenoceptors) and 6.35 +/- 0.04 in rabbit liver (alpha1A-adrenoceptors) membranes. Zolertine showed higher affinity for alpha1D-adrenoceptors compared to alpha1A-adrenoceptors, while it had an intermediate affinity for alpha1B-adrenoceptors. The ability of the alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist zolertine to block alpha1D-adrenoceptor-mediated constriction in different vessels of Wistar Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats may explain its antihypertensive efficacy despite its low order of potency.

Methoxamine is an alpha-adrenergic agonist that induces prolonged peripheral vasoconstriction, and can also stimulate the release of arginine vasopressin in humans. In clinical trials, methoxamine was found to improve fecal incontinence. It had been marketed by Glaxo-Smith-Kline under the brand name Vasoxyl but has been discontinued. Methoxamine was also found to stimulate the induction of hiPSC-derived hepatoblasts to ALBUMIN+ cells.

Naftopidil (INN, marketed under the brand name Flivas) is a drug used in benign prostatic hypertrophy which acts as a selective alpha1-adrenergic receptor antagonist, has been used for the treatment of benign prostatic obstruction and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) associated lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare approved naftopidil for treating men with BPH in 1996. Although well-designed, randomized studies are warranted to confirm the long-term outcomes and effector/target of naftopidil, the α1A-antagonist naftopidil, which also blocks α1D-adrenoceptor, improves voiding symptoms, and may also be useful for the management of men with storage symptoms represented by nocturia, retrieving their quality of life impaired by BPH-associated LUTS. The selective alpha1D-blocker naftopidil can significantly facilitate spontaneous passage of distal ureteral stones with few side effects, providing a new choice for medical expulsive therapy.

Zolertine is an alpha-adrenergic receptor antagonist that acts as an antihypertensive agent. Its effect was studied in animals in vivo and in vitro. Zolertine considerably decreased systemic blood pressure in mecamylamine hypertensive dogs in a dose-related fashion. Using the intravital microscopic method in rat's mesocygeus microvasculature a direct relationship between zolertine dosage and blockade was demonstrated as well as an inverse relationship between time of action of zolertine and percentage of vasoconstriction caused by noradrenaline. When only zolertine was applied, it caused a small vasoconstriction that decreased as its concentration increased which could be due to its ability to antagonize alpha receptor responses, but not beta responses. Zolertine is a more active alpha blocker than azapetin, a blocker used in medical practice. Competition binding experiments using the alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist [3H] prazosin showed a zolertine pKi of 6.81 +/- 0.02 in rat liver (alpha1B-adrenoceptors) and 6.35 +/- 0.04 in rabbit liver (alpha1A-adrenoceptors) membranes. Zolertine showed higher affinity for alpha1D-adrenoceptors compared to alpha1A-adrenoceptors, while it had an intermediate affinity for alpha1B-adrenoceptors. The ability of the alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist zolertine to block alpha1D-adrenoceptor-mediated constriction in different vessels of Wistar Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats may explain its antihypertensive efficacy despite its low order of potency.

Methoxamine is an alpha-adrenergic agonist that induces prolonged peripheral vasoconstriction, and can also stimulate the release of arginine vasopressin in humans. In clinical trials, methoxamine was found to improve fecal incontinence. It had been marketed by Glaxo-Smith-Kline under the brand name Vasoxyl but has been discontinued. Methoxamine was also found to stimulate the induction of hiPSC-derived hepatoblasts to ALBUMIN+ cells.

Naftopidil (INN, marketed under the brand name Flivas) is a drug used in benign prostatic hypertrophy which acts as a selective alpha1-adrenergic receptor antagonist, has been used for the treatment of benign prostatic obstruction and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) associated lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare approved naftopidil for treating men with BPH in 1996. Although well-designed, randomized studies are warranted to confirm the long-term outcomes and effector/target of naftopidil, the α1A-antagonist naftopidil, which also blocks α1D-adrenoceptor, improves voiding symptoms, and may also be useful for the management of men with storage symptoms represented by nocturia, retrieving their quality of life impaired by BPH-associated LUTS. The selective alpha1D-blocker naftopidil can significantly facilitate spontaneous passage of distal ureteral stones with few side effects, providing a new choice for medical expulsive therapy.