[Blood pressure lowering action and tolerance of ketanserin in mono- or combination therapy]

The antihypertensive efficacy and tolerability of the 5HT2-receptor antagonist ketanserin was investigated in 188 patients aged 41 to 82 years with mild to moderate essential hypertension. Ketanserin was given as monotherapy (n = 107) as well as in combination with either the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide/amiloride (n = 42) or the betablocker atenolol (n = 39) for 12 weeks. Compared to placebo, ketanserin lowered systolic blood pressure by 11 +/- 16 (SD), 9 +/- 13 and 9 +/- 11 mm Hg (p less than 0.01 for all) and diastolic blood pressure by 9 +/- 10, 10 +/- 9 and 7 +/- 9 mm Hg (p less than 0.001 for all), in the three treatment groups; body weight, serum sodium, potassium, uric acid, cholesterol and triglycerides remained unchanged. The incidence of withdrawals due to unwanted effects was 4% on ketanserin monotherapy, and 12% and 10% on the diuretic/ketanserin and the betablocker/ketanserin combination respectively. Well-being during ketanserin therapy was improved in the older patients in particular; sleep disturbances, daytime fatigue and overall weakness decreased. Ketanserin was well tolerated in combination with the diuretic, whereas in combination with the betablocker the occurrence of dry mouth and stuffy nose was slightly higher. - Ketanserin proved to be an effective antihypertensive drug comparable to other blood pressure lowering agents. It can be combined advantageously with a potassium sparing diuretic or a betablocker. The greater efficacy and tolerability in patients greater than or equal to 60 years qualify ketanserin primarily as an antihypertensive agent for older patients.