The addition of Visken to methyldopa therapy in hypertension: a multicentre study

Forty-one patients completed the study where Visken was added to the treatment regimen of patients whose blood pressures were poorly controlled on methyldopa or who were experiencing side-effects with methyldopa. Supine blood pressure was reduced from 177/108 mm Hg before Visken therapy to 159/96 mm Hg after twelve weeks of taking Visken. The dose of methyldopa was reduced from a mean 921 mg at the start to 445 mg at the end. Fourteen patients were able to stop methyldopa therapy. The number of side-effects reported was reduced as the study continued and fifteen patients commented that they felt better on Visken. Nine patients did not complete the trial, three of these because of side-effects, viz insomnia, lethargy and sleep disturbances.