Phentolamine

General information

Phentolamine is a non-selective alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist. It is used to treat hypertensive crises attributable to the effects of noradrenaline, as in pheochromocytoma and during the interaction of monoamine oxidase inhibitors with amine-containing medicaments and foods [ ]. It is also used to reverse the effects of local anesthetics in which adrenaline has been used [ ] and when ischemia has occurred [ ]. It has been used to treat erectile dysfunction, but has been superseded by the phosphodiesterase type V inhibitors [ ]. Its adverse effects and reactions are similar to those of phenoxybenzamine.