title: A comparison of the haemodynamic and behavioural effects of moxonidine and clonidine in normotensive subjects.
abstract: 1. This randomised double-blind placebo controlled crossover study in healthy normotensive males compared the haemodynamic and behavioural responses following single oral doses of moxonidine (200 micrograms), clonidine (200 micrograms) and placebo. 2. Both active drugs significantly reduced blood pressure as compared with placebo: on average (over the study day) by -5.6/-0.8 with moxonidine and by -13.3/-5.3 mm Hg with clonidine. The hypotensive effect of clonidine was significantly greater (95% CI 3.2-12.2). Heart rate was unchanged by either drug. 3. Psychomotor testing, salivary flow and side effect reporting showed a consistent treatment rank order similar to that of the hypotensive response: clonidine greater than moxonidine greater than placebo. 4. Although moxonidine produced less adverse effects than clonidine, an equivalent hypotensive response was not demonstrated in normal subjects. Further study at comparable antihypertensive doses is required to clarify the relative side effect profile of these agents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Stobhill General Hospital, Glasgow.
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Macphee
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Howie
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Elliott
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Reid
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D003000:Clonidine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D010919:Placebos; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D007093:Imidazoles; D010919:Placebos; C043482:moxonidine; D003000:Clonidine