Prazosin alone and combined with a thiazide diuretic in the treatment of hypertension

Abstract

We conducted an uncontrolled study of the efficacy of prazosin in the treatment of hypertension in 45 patients. In 25 patients only prazosin was used and in 20 patients prazosin was combined with a thiazide diuretic. Control of blood pressure was obtained in 22 of the 25 patients (88%) on prazosin alone, and in all the patients on the combined treatment. Adverse effects occurred in 15 of 25 patients (60%) on prazosin alone, and in 13 of the 20 patients (65%) on combined treatment. However, in 18 patients (40%) adverse effects disappeared or were tolerated with continued therapy. In 10 patients (22%) therapy was stopped because of the adverse effects. The median dose of prazosin was 5,73 mg twice a day. Prazosin is a useful alternative to hydralazine in the treatment of hypertension.