Ketanserin in hypertension. Early clinical evaluation and dose finding study of a new 5-HT2 receptor antagonist

Abstract

Ketanserin, a new 5-hydroxy-tryptamine antagonist, was given at three different dosage levels (double-blind, randomized) in a dose finding study for 2 months to 31 patients with mild to moderately severe essential hypertension. Treatment with ketanserin was then continued until 9 months had been completed. A significant antihypertensive effect was demonstrated at daily dosages of 20 mg t.i.d. or 40 mg t.i.d. The antihypertensive effect was similar to that of previous multiple drug treatment with conventional drugs. However, 60 mg t.i.d. was not acceptable, at least not as initial dosage. At this dose level, 8 out of 10 patients had to be withdrawn from the study during the initial phase due to unwanted effects. It is conceivable that alpha 1-adrenoceptor blockade may have played a role at this dose level, since postural reactions were observed which was otherwise not the case during this study. Ketanserin is a new and interesting alternative in the treatment of hypertension. At the same time it offers a tool by which the role of 5-hydroxy-tryptamine in the regulation of arterial pressure can be investigated.