Age-related effects of antihypertensive therapy with alpha-blockers.
Currently, the most important alpha-blockers used in treating hypertension are prazosin and its long-acting congeners, doxazosin and terazosin. Although there are minor age-related changes in the pharmacokinetics of these compounds, they result in no appreciable alteration in dose requirements. Overall, published evidence does not indicate any loss of responsiveness to alpha-blockade in the elderly. Despite the potential risks of first-dose hypotension and of postural hypotension, long-acting alpha-blockers may warrant further consideration as possible first-line therapy in elderly hypertensive patients. These agents allow the simplicity of once-daily dosing, and their cardiac and metabolic effects offer potential advantages.
Stokes
G S
GS
Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards, Australia.
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists