Adrenolytic and Sympatholytic Actions of Priscol (benzyl-imidazoline)

Summary and Conclusions

Priscol (benzylimidazoline) is sympatholytic as well as adrenolytic in reference to the sympathetic neural control of blood pressure and salivation. Adrenolysis invariably precedes sympatholysis with any dose that is adequate to produce both effects. These pharmacodynamic actions persist during priscol hypotension, pituitrin hypertension and in the presence of atropine.

Although sympathetic depression of salivation and vasoconstriction can be produced with variable doses of priscol, up to 15 mg, they are without sympatholytic or adrenolytic effect upon the cervical sympathetic neural components controlling mydriasis, indicating that a differential sympathetic depression characterizes this antisympathetic agent.