Prizidilol (SK & F 92657), a New Vasodilator with Beta-blocking Properties in the Treatment of Essential Hypertension

The antihypertensive effect of a new vasodilator with betablocking properties (SK & F 92657) was investigated in 10 patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension. After a mean treatment period of 26,5 weeks (6,5-49 weeks) blood pressure was significantly reduced, from 168 +/- 22/106 +/- 6 mmHg to 144 +/- 19/94 +/- 12 mmHg (p less than 0.05 and 0.025). The mean dose was 410 mg (100-700 mg). Heart rate decreased slightly from 77 +/- 12 to 70 +/- 8 beats/min. Plasma renin activity and plasma aldosterone showed only minor changes. Nausea, heavy dreams, facial and hand flushing and mild depression were reported as side effects. In most patients the symptoms disappeared without reduction in the dose. In one patient anaemia developed after 7 weeks and treatment with prizidilol was stopped. A slight but statistically significant decrease in haemoglobin concentration of 1.1 +/- 0.6 g/dl was observed in 5 of the 10 patients (p less than 0.02). Thus, a mean dose of prizidilol of 410 +/- 242 mg/day had a mean blood pressure lowering effect of 24/12 mmHg. In 7 of the 10 patients (70%) diastolic blood pressure could be reduced to 95 mmHg or less. However, the observed haematological side-effects should be carefully monitored in further studies and may limit the clinical use of prizidilol.