cryptenamine

Cryptenamine is a mixture of 10 closely related hypotensive alkaloids extracted from the plant *Veratrum album*, including protoveratrines A and B, germitrine, neogermitrine, germerine, germidine, jervine, rubijervine, isorubijervine, and germbudine. It was used as an antihypertensive agent for the treatment of hypertension but has largely been replaced by drugs with fewer adverse effects. The precise mechanism of action is not fully understood; however, it produces a marked depressor (blood pressure-lowering) effect when administered intravenously to hypertensive patients. Some evidence suggests that its action may be similar to atropine—acting as an antagonist at muscarinic acetylcholine receptors—though this remains experimental[1][2][5].

Brand names

Unitensen

Other names

cryptenamine tannates