Drug resistance, inappropriate dosing and non-compliance in hypertensive patients.
1 From an understanding of the biological fate and hypotensive effect of debrisoquine (D) we have assessed the relative importance of true drug resistance, inappropriately low dosage and non-compliance as causes of apparent resistance to treatment with this drug. 2 Among 37 hypertensive patients prescribed D, eleven (30%) were non-compliant on the day of testing. 3 Non-compliance was found in 64% of patients with poor blood pressure control but only 15% of patients with intermediate and good blood pressure control (P less than 0.02). 4 Five patients received doses which were too low for pharmacological effect while in a further five an increase in dose may have improved blood pressure control. 5 Resistance to D was uncommon indicating that non-compliance and inadequate dosing are the major causes of apparent resistance to treatment with this compound.
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents