Conformationally rigid bicyclic and adamantane derivatives useful as α2-adrenergic blocking agents

A composition suitable for administration to a mammal having a disease state which is alleviated by treatment with an α2-blocking agent, the composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I

• in which:
• ring A is one of the five alternative multi-cyclic rings as shown wherein a dotted line adjacent to a bond indicates that a single bond or a double bond may be present at that position;
• X is sulfur;
• R is hydrogen, straight or branched chain alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or straight or branched chain alkenyl of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, a cycloaliphatic ring of 3 to 6 carbon atoms, phenyl optionally mono- or di-substituted with hydroxy, halogen, alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms or alkoxy of 1 to 2 carbon atoms, or methylenedioxyphenyl;
• or a stereoisomer, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in admixture with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers.

A method for treating a mammal having a disease state, wherein said disease state is elevated intraocular pressure, which is alleviated by treatment with an a blocking agent, which comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I

• in which:
• ring A is one of the five alternative multi-cyclic rings as shown wherein a dotted line adjacent to a bond indicates that a single bond or a double bond may be present at that position;
• X is sulfur;
• R is hydrogen, straight or branched chain alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or straight or branched chain alkenyl of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, a cycloaliphatic ring of 3 to 6 carbon atoms, phenyl optionally mono- or di-substituted with hydroxy, halogen, alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms or alkoxy of 1 to 2 carbon atoms, or methylenedioxyphenyl;
• or a stereoisomer, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.