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Doxazosin: a new alpha 1-adrenergic antagonist
1Department of Pharmaceutical Services, UCLA Medical Center 90024.
Clinical Pharmacy
|May 1, 1992
Summary
Doxazosin, an alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist, effectively lowers blood pressure and improves lipid profiles in patients with hypertension. It demonstrates comparable efficacy to other antihypertensives with manageable side effects.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Clinical Pharmacy
Background:
- Doxazosin mesylate is an alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist used for hypertension.
- Understanding its properties and clinical efficacy is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the properties, effects, and clinical use of doxazosin.
- To review comparative studies of doxazosin in mild to moderate hypertension.
Main Methods:
- Review of physicochemical properties, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and clinical effects.
- Analysis of comparative clinical trials evaluating doxazosin therapy.
Main Results:
- Doxazosin is rapidly absorbed, extensively metabolized, and reduces peripheral resistance to lower blood pressure.
- It favorably impacts serum lipids, increasing HDL and decreasing LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
- Doxazosin demonstrated comparable blood pressure lowering to other antihypertensive classes.
Conclusions:
- Doxazosin is an effective antihypertensive agent with beneficial metabolic effects.
- Common side effects include dizziness and headache; orthostatic hypotension is infrequent.
- Dosage titration is recommended, and it can be used alone or in combination therapy.
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