What is "prazosin"

n. A particular kind of sympatholytic drug used to treat high blood pressure.

n. antihypertensive drug (trade name Minipress) [syn: Minipress]

Prazosin, trade names Minipress, Vasoflex, Lentopres and Hypovase, is a sympatholytic drug used to treat high blood pressure, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is an α-blocker which acts as an inverse agonist at alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. These receptors are found on vascular smooth muscle, where they are responsible for the vasoconstrictive action of norepinephrine. They are also found throughout the central nervous system. As of 2013, prazosin is off-patent in the US, and the FDA has approved at least one generic manufacturer.