Combined use of prazosin and beta-blockers in hypertension.
Combined use of prazosin and beta-blockers in a hypertension clinic over a 3-year period was surveyed by means of a computerized record system. Of the 1,250 patients in the clinic, 171 (14%) had been treated with this combination for periods averaging 17 months. Prazosin was administered with a beta 1-selective beta-blocker in 94 cases and with a beta 1 + beta 2-blocker in 100 cases; 23 patients had received treatment with both combinations. Diuretics were given in 86% of cases and other antihypertensive drugs in 19%. The population treated had a high incidence of severe hypertension, with initial diastolic pressure greater than 120 mm Hg in 38% and between 100 and 120 mm Hg in 50%. The percentage of patients with diastolic pressure less than 100 mm Hg was 12% initially and 79% at the end of the treatment period. Side effects necessitated withdrawal of therapy in 35 cases. These were referable in 19 cases to prazosin and in 16 to beta-blockers. Prazosin was found to be more effective in lowering blood pressure in combination with beta 1-blockers than with beta 1 + beta 2-blockers, although there were fewer severe side effects with beta 1-blockers.
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011224:Prazosin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D011799:Quinazolines; D011224:Prazosin