Urapidil in the treatment of hypertension.
Urapidil is an alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist which also has a central antihypertensive effect, the mechanism of which has yet to be conclusively defined. A number of open and comparative studies have produced evidence for the efficacy and safety of urapidil. A study recently completed by the author produced a dose-dependent antihypertensive effect of urapidil which, however, failed to achieve statistical significance, probably due to a large variance of the data and an unexpectedly large placebo effect. Adverse reactions are those expected from an alpha 1-blocker, particularly dizziness, as well as nausea and fatigue. Urapidil is potentially an important new antihypertensive agent; further variable dose and combination (with other antihypertensive agents) studies would help further define its therapeutic niche.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010879:Piperazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D010879:Piperazines; C015568:urapidil