hexamethonium

[ hek-suh-muh-thoh-nee-uhm ]

noun

, Pharmacology.

1. a compound, C 10 H 24 N 2 , used in the treatment of severe hypertension to lower blood pressure and increase blood flow by blocking transmission of nerve impulses that constrict blood vessels.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hexamethonium¹

First recorded in 1945–50; hexa- + meth(yl) + (amm)onium

Example Sentences

Doctors would give her a dose of the drug hexamethonium to induce a mild attack, her healthy body would fend off that attack, and doctors would observe how her body did it.

From Newsweek

A study performed way back in 1978 had discovered this kind of reaction to hexamethonium—but the paper that was published didn’t mention it.

From Newsweek

Some, such as hexamethonium and chlorisondamine, are blocking agents.

From Time Magazine Archive

Patients who could not get their tongues around the hexasyllabic name of hexamethonium demanded the new drug, and no argument.

From Time Magazine Archive

To be safe, he added a buffer solution to the hexamethonium--but without informing the IRB, which he should have done.

From Time Magazine Archive