Peripheral vasodilatation in the treatment of hypertension. Prazosin compared with hydralazine in patients not responding to β–receptor blockade

Prazosin was compared with hydralazine in 39 patients (mean age 49 years), who were already on beta-blockade for arterial hypertension. They all had a resting DBP greater than 100 mm Hg on propranolol 80 mg b i d. They were randomly allocated to prazosin or hydralazine treatment. Blood pressure was measured after 4, 8 and 12 weeks. We noted a significant fall in blood pressure in both groups, in most cases to normotensive levels. Side-effects and other variables of interest are discussed. Together with beta blockade, i e propranolol, both prazosin and hydralazine give good blood-pressure control and no important differences could be found.