The mechanism of the action of Minipress. Examinations in hypertension

Abstract

The specific competitive alpha 1-postsynaptic blocking action and haemodynamic effects of prazosin (Minipress) have been summarized. Prazosin causes dilatation of arterioles and veins, reduces total peripheral resistance as well as preload and afterload. Cardiac output does not change at rest, stroke volume and subsequent cardiac output increase during exercise. The changes in heart rate have non-significant. It does not cause sympathetic counter-regulation, plasma renin activity does not increase, aldosterone level decreases, salt- and fluid retention may rarely be observed. It does not provoke angina. The authors report on the results of their examinations with the first dose of prazosin in 61 patients (in 33 cases by the double-blind cross-over method by placebo control), and summarize the observations made with the drug in long-term treatment in Hungary. The authors and other teams used prazosin as a long-term treatment (of approximately 3 months) in combination with other drugs in a total of 344 patients, and as monotherapy in 159 patients. In the course of combination treatment side-effects were observed in 15% of the patients (dizziness, headache, weakness, occasionally palpitation). During monotherapy, side-effects occurred in 12% of the patients (tachycardia, headache, weakness, dizziness). Hungarian results confirm the usefulness of prazosin in all stages of hypertension. It is effective in 30-35% of the cases as a monotherapy (this rate is congruent with the efficacy of beta-blockers, calcium antagonists and antihypertensive drugs of central action). Earlier prazosin had been used as a third agent in combination treatment of hypertension.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)