Doxazosin in the current treatment of hypertension.
BACKGROUND
Evidence from various studies has shown that even a very small reduction in the blood pressure explains the majority of benefits in cardiovascular outcomes. Although doxazosin is a relatively old drug, it is a very effective add-on therapeutic agent. It has been used in a variety of clinical trials, including different groups of hypertensive patients such as diabetics, the elderly, patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia or hypercholesterolaemia, the obese or Afro-Americans and in combination with all major groups of antihypertensive drugs such as: calcium channel antagonists, diuretics, beta-adrenoreceptor antagonists, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin-2 receptor blockers.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this article is to review the role of doxazosin in the current treatment of hypertension.


METHODS
English-language reports published in 1986 - 2007 were retrieved. Data extraction was based on articles reporting at least 15 or more patients treated with combination of doxazosin with other antihypertensive drugs.


CONCLUSIONS
In these studies doxazosin in either standard or extended-release formulation was added as a second- or third-line agent. The two formulations of doxazosin, although chemically identical, appear to differ in some other effects. A large proportion of patients demonstrated a favourable blood pressure response with relatively few treatment-associated side effects showing that this drug appears to be a valuable add-on antihypertensive treatment option. Doxazosin reduces blood pressure and additionally influences other risk factors of coronary heart disease. However, it should be clearly stated that the clinical role of 'beyond blood pressure' effects of doxazosin are largely undetermined.
Wykretowicz
Andrzej
A
Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Department of Cardiology - Intensive Therapy, 49 Przybyszewskiego Street, 60-355 Poznan, Poland. awykreto@ptkardio.pl
Guzik
Przemyslaw
P
Wysocki
Henryk
H
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D004304:Dosage Forms; D017292:Doxazosin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D004304:Dosage Forms; D017292:Doxazosin