title: Long-term (5 year) experience with transdermal clonidine in the treatment of mild to moderate hypertension.
abstract: The long-term safety and efficacy of transdermal clonidine (C-TTS) was evaluated in 102 patients with mild to moderate hypertension over a mean treatment period of 4.9 +/- 1.4 years. C-TTS size 1 was used by 29.4%, C-TTS size 2 by 35.3%; in 35.3% of the patients a diuretic agent was given in addition. The baseline blood pressure of 168/100 mmHg was reduced to 150/85 mmHg at the end of titration and remained stable during long-term treatment. After 5 years seated blood pressure was 147/83 mmHg. Systemic side-effects, e.g. 4.9% dry mouth, were reported mainly during the first month. Transient local side-effects occurred mainly between weeks 4-26, thereafter the incidence clearly diminished and did not cause any withdrawal due to skin reactions from 1 year up to 6.5 years. Overall the long-term transdermal clonidine treatment was highly accepted by the patients, was effective and was well tolerated.
authors.affiliation: Medical Data Services-Biometrics Boehringer Ingelheim Deutschland GmbH, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Breidthardt
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schumacher
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mehlburger
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure; D003000:Clonidine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003000:Clonidine