The antihypertensive effect of lexotan (bromazepam)- a new benzodiazepine derivative

Clinical observations led to the assumption that there is an antihypertensive effect of bromazepam in patients suffering from mild benign hypertension. Because of this observation we studied the antihypertensive effect of bromazepam by means of a standardized simple submaximal ergometric load performed weekly over a 4-week period of observation. A control group of 68 hypertensive patients without any drug therapy but under active physical training combined with physiotherapy and medicinal baths showed only a slight decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure at rest (about 4%). Furthermore, the pulse frequency did not change. In contrast, there was a distinct and significant decrease in blood pressure at rest and during exercise after a 3-week period of additional treatment with bromazepam, especially in hypertensive patients. One group of 68 hypertensive patients receiving 9 mg bromazepam daily showed a mean reduction in blood pressure by 14.4% systolic and 12.7% diastolic at rest, and during exercise by 7.5% systolic and 6.8% diastolic. The heart remained practically unchanged. A somewhat slighter decrease of the blood pressure values was seen in an additional group of 31 hypertensive patients receiving 6 mg bromazepam per day and in a group of 30 normotensive patients receiving 9 mg bromazepam daily. The calculated indices such as the product of heart rate and mean systolic pressure and the tension time index in the groups receiving bromazepam pointed to a better economic work performance under reduced myocardial pressure effort and reduced oxygen demand on the myocardium. The possible action of bromazepam in reducing blood pressure will be discussed.