Home Drug Guide Bethanidine Sulfate

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Bethanidine Sulfate

Brand Names Tenathan

Classification

Therapeutic: Antihypertensive agent

Pharmacological: Adrenergic neuron blocker

FDA Approved Indications

  • Hypertension

Mechanism of Action

Bethanidine inhibits adrenergic neuron function, decreasing sympathetic outflow and thus lowering blood pressure.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Initially, 300 mg daily in divided doses; titrate based on response and tolerability.

Pediatric: Not typically used in pediatric patients.

Geriatric: Adjust dose carefully due to increased sensitivity and risk of adverse effects.

Renal Impairment: Use with caution; dosage adjustment may be necessary.

Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution; hepatic metabolism may alter drug levels.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Well absorbed orally.

Distribution: Widely distributed; crosses blood-brain barrier.

Metabolism: Partially metabolized in the liver.

Excretion: Excreted primarily in urine.

Half Life: Approximately 6-8 hours.

Contraindications

  • Known hypersensitivity to bethanidine or related compounds.

Precautions

  • Use cautiously in patients with renal or hepatic impairment, cardiovascular disease, or those on other antihypertensives; monitor blood pressure regularly.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Dizziness (Common)
  • Dry mouth (Common)
  • Sedation (Common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Bone marrow suppression leading to leukopenia or thrombocytopenia (Rare)
  • Serious hypotension or hypertensive crises (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • Other antihypertensives, especially vasodilators and centrally acting agents

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor blood pressure and heart rate regularly. Watch for signs of hypotension and CNS effects.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for falls related to hypotension and dizziness.

Implementation: Administer doses as prescribed, usually divided throughout the day. Educate patient on potential side effects.

Evaluation: Assess effectiveness by monitoring blood pressure; evaluate for adverse effects and tolerance.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Instruct patient to rise slowly from sitting or lying positions to prevent dizziness.
  • Advise patient to report signs of adverse reactions such as sore throat, fever, unexplained bleeding.
  • Explain importance of regular blood pressure monitoring.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • None reported currently.

Genetic Factors: No specific genetic considerations documented.

Lab Test Interference: May alter blood glucose and other lab results.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Severe hypotension, somnolence, CNS depression.

Treatment: Supportive care; administer activated charcoal if ingestion was recent; monitor vital signs; provide symptomatic treatment as needed.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature, away from moisture and light.

Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.