Circulation, Vol 55, 533-537, Copyright © 1977 by American Heart Association
MC Koshy, D Mickley, J Bourgiognie and MD Blaufox
The mechanism of action of prazosin hydrochloride, a new antihypertensive
agent was studied in 14 patients with essential hypertension. Mean supine
blood pressure for the group fell from 148/102 +/- 3/2 (SE) mm Hg at
baseline to 139/91 +/- 5/4 after eight weeks of therapy (P less than 0.05).
No significant postural hypotension was noted in the patients who responded
to therapy. Glomerular filtration rate (endogenous creatinine or inulin
clearance) and effective renal plasma flow (PAH clearance) remained
unchanged during therapy as did supine and stimulated peripheral plasma
renin activity. Cardiac output did not change significantly although plasma
volume increased in ten out of 12 patients in whom it was measured (P less
than 0.025). Among the patients whose mean blood pressure fell 10 mm Hg or
more, peripheral vascular resistance fell significantly (P less than
0.025), and the change in plasma volume was not statistically significant.
Among the patients whose mean blood pressure changed less than 10 mm Hg
with therapy, there was no significant change in peripheral vascular
resistance and plasma volume increased significantly (P less than 0.025).
Prazosin hydrochloride appears to be an effective antihypertensive agent
which acts by peripheral vasodilatation. It may cause fluid retention. The
drug does not appear to affect renal function or renin secretion.
ARTICLES
Physiologic evaluation of a new antihypertensive agent: prazosin HCl
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