[Effect of three antihypertensive drug groups on lipid metabolism. Effects of alpha receptor blockers, central sympatholytic drugs and vasodilators]

Abstract

Basic remarks and aims: Alpha-receptor blockers, central sympathicolytic agents and vasodilators are all drugs that are often used to treat hypertension. On the basis of a study of the literature, the effects of these groups of substances on lipid metabolism are described. Main points discussed: Although the data available are few, vasodilators, in particular dihydralazine and hydralazine appear to have no unfavorable effect on serum lipids. Nor do the centrally acting alpha-receptor agonists, such as methyldopa and clonidine have any unfavorable effect, with the exception of the decrease in the HDL cholesterol observed under methyldopa. The selective alpha-1-receptor blockers, prazosin, doxazosin and urapidil, even have a positive effect of varying degree on lipid metabolism: increase in HDL cholesterol and decrease in triglycerides. Long-term studies over a number of years are, however, lacking. The effect of labetalol, reserpine and guanethidine on lipid metabolism cannot yet be definitively assessed owing to a lack of data.