Used primarily in scientific research as a ganglionic blocker to study the autonomic nervous system. It inhibits neurotransmission at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in autonomic ganglia, making it valuable for investigating sympathetic and parasympathetic functions.

Historically, it was explored for treating hypertension due to its ability to lower blood pressure by blocking nerve signals in the cardiovascular system. However, due to poor oral absorption and the development of more selective agents, it is no longer used clinically.

Today, it serves mainly as a pharmacological tool in neuroscience and physiology experiments.