Abstract
1 Twenty-two patients with moderately severe essential hypertension were treated for a period of 12 months with guanfacine (BS 100-141), a new centrally-acting antihypertensive agent. A twice daily schedule was followed and the dose range of guanfacine was 1-8 mg daily.
2 In twenty patients satisfactory blood pressure responses (diastolic pressure below 95 mmHg) were achieved in both the supine and the standing position. Pulse rate decreased slightly, though not significantly.
3 Tolerance to the pressure-lowering effect of the drug developed during the third or fourth month of therapy. This could be overcome by either increasing dosage or adding a diuretic.
4 All patients reported side-effects, mainly dryness of the mouth and fatigue. These side-effects became less or disappeared at the end of 3 months. Rebound hypertension on discontinuation of therapy occurred in two patients.
5 Plasma concentrations of noradrenaline and adrenaline as well as plasma renin activity were decreased after 1 week of treatment with the drug.
6 Guanfacine in conjunction with a diuretic is a useful drug in the long-term treatment of hypertension. Reduced central sympathetic outflow may be the major mechanism underlying the antihypertensive effect of the drug.
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Selected References
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