Propranolol and newer antihypertensive drugs in the management of hypertension.
Among the newer antihypertensive agents are the beta-blocking drugs, such as propranolol. These agents are useful as second-step drugs to be used if diuretic therapy alone is not effective. In mild to moderately severe hypertension, propranolol, in does of up to 480 mg/day in combination with a thiazide diuretic, has been found to be effective in over 80% of patients on long-term therapy. This degree of response is essentially similar to that noted with a combination of reserpine and a diuretic agent. Although some observers believe that propranolol produces many fewer side effects than the other step 2 drugs (reserpine and alpha-methyldopa), there are some patients who do experience restlessness, insomnia, and depression. Clonidine may be substituted for another step 2 drug, is of moderate potency, but may not be tolerated by a large number of patients because of the severe dry mouth and drowsiness that it produces. Prazosin appears to be a suitable substitute for hydralazine as an effective vasodialator if thiazides plus propranolol or thiazides plus reserpine or alpha-methyldopa are not effective. In some instances, it many be an acceptable second-step drug because of its alpha-adrenoreceptor-blocking properties. The angiotensin II competitive inhibitors or converting enzyme inhibitors may in the future have some place in the management of hypertension.
D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D003000:Clonidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004232:Diuretics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008914:Minoxidil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011224:Prazosin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011433:Propranolol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012504:Saralasin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D004232:Diuretics; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D000804:Angiotensin II; D008914:Minoxidil; D011433:Propranolol; D012504:Saralasin; D003000:Clonidine; D011224:Prazosin