Antianginal effects of clonidine

Abstract

The effects of clonidine, a central alpha-adrenoceptor agonist, were studied in 12 patients with chronic stable effort angina pectoris in an 18-week randomized, double-blind, two-period (6 weeks each) crossover study with a 3-week inter-period washout phase. Clonidine (200 micrograms as a single dose) produced a decrease in rate-pressure product at rest and during exercise and an increase in exercise tolerance, at 1 and 2 h after administration. Chronic administration of clonidine produced a decrease in rate-pressure product at rest and during exercise and an increase in exercise tolerance after 3 weeks (200 micrograms twice a day) and 6 weeks (400 micrograms twice a day) of treatment.