Effects of 4-7-exo-methylene-hexahydroisoindoline-ethyl-guanidine hemisulfate (No. 865-123), a new guanidine derivative, on adrenergic neurons and its local anesthetic activity were investigated in comparison with guanethidine. Both derivatives produced in a dose-dependent manner a progressive irreversible reduction of positive chronotropic and contractile responses to postganglionic sympathetic nerve stimulation in isolated rabbit atria. The time course of the reduction by No. 865-123 was somewhat slower. In dogs administered both agents, the pressor response to carotid occlusion was reduced and that to exogenous noradrenaline was potentiated with a slight decrease in blood pressure. Noradrenaline stores in the heart and spleen of rats were also depleted to a similar extent. In the guinea pig weal method, guanethidine acted as a potent local anesthetic with a slow onset and a prolonged action as compared to procaine. No. 865-123 revealed no more anesthetic activity than did saline. It is unlikely that the local anesthetic activity of the guanidine derivatives contributes to the adrenergic neuron blocking activity.