Background:

Pinacidil monohydrate, an antihypertensive drug, is a potassium channel activator.

Pinacidil monohydrate is a potassium channel activator[1]. Pinacidil hydrate is an antihypertensive drug of the class of agents called "potassium channel openers"[2]. Pinacidil hydrate activates the ATP-modulated potassium channels of guinea pog bladder and heart with Ki values of 104 and 251 nM, respectively[3].

[1]. Buckle DR, et al. Relaxant effects of the potassium channel activators BRL 38227 and pinacidil on guinea-pig and human airway smooth muscle, and blockade of their effects by glibenclamide and BRL 31660. Pulm Pharmacol. 1993 Mar;6(1):77-86. [2]. Bareggi SR, et al. Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of pinacidil in normotensive volunteers after repeated doses of a new slow-release tablet formulation. Arzneimittelforschung. 1999 Jan;49(1):21-5. [3]. Gollasch M, et al. Pinacidil relaxes porcine and human coronary arteries by activating ATP-dependent potassium channels in smooth muscle cells. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1995 Nov;275(2):681-92.