A ganglionic blocker is a type of medication that inhibits postganglionic transmission, primarily by acting as a nicotinic antagonist

Nicotinic antagonist

A nicotinic antagonist is a type of anticholinergic that inhibits the action at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. These compounds are mainly used for peripheral muscle paralysis in surgery, but some centrally acting compounds such as bupropion, mecamylamine, and 18-methoxycoronaridine block...

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Because ganglionic blockers block the parasympathetic nervous system

Parasympathetic nervous system

The parasympathetic nervous system is one of the two main divisions of the autonomic nervous system . The ANS is responsible for regulation of internal organs and glands, which occurs unconsciously...

 and sympathetic nervous system

Sympathetic nervous system

The sympathetic nervous system is one of the three parts of the autonomic nervous system, along with the enteric and parasympathetic systems. Its general action is to mobilize the body's nervous system fight-or-flight response...

, the effect of these drugs depends upon the dominant tone in the organ system.

Examples

Examples include hexamethonium

Hexamethonium

Hexamethonium is a ganglionic blocker, a nicotinic nACh receptor antagonist that acts in autonomic ganglia by binding mostly in or on the NN receptor, and not the acetylcholine binding site itself...

, pentolinium

Pentolinium

Pentolinium is a ganglionic blocking agent which acts as a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist. It can be used as an antihypertensive drug during surgery or to control hypertensive crises. It works by binding to the acetylcholine receptor of adrenergic nerves and thereby inhibiting the...

, mecamylamine

Mecamylamine

Mecamylamine is a nonselective and noncompetitive antagonist of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors that was introduced in the 1950s as an antihypertensive agent.- Uses :...

, trimetaphan, and pempidine

Pempidine

Pempidine is a ganglionic blocker....

,nicotine
Others include:

• benzohexonium
• chlorisondamine
  Chlorisondamine
  Chlorisondamine is a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist that produces both neuronal and ganglionic blockade.Chlorisondamine has been shown to form noncovalent complexes with various biomolecules including sphingomyelin and other associated glycolipids....
  
  
• pentamine
  Pentamine
  Pentamine is a ganglionic blocker....
  
  

Uses

Ganglionic blockers are used less frequently now than they were in the past, because more selective agents are now available. However, they are still used in some emergency situations, such as aortic dissection

Aortic dissection

Aortic dissection occurs when a tear in the inner wall of the aorta causes blood to flow between the layers of the wall of the aorta and force the layers apart. The dissection typically extends anterograde, but can extend retrograde from the site of the intimal tear. Aortic dissection is a medical...

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Side-Effects

• Cardiovascular: Orthostatic(postural) hypotension, Tachycardia
• GIT: Dry-mouth, GIT atony,urine retention, digestive problems
• Sexual Dysfunction: Failure of erection and ejaculation