Bromocriptine in the treatment of hypertension

The efficacy of bromocriptine in the treatment of hypertension was assessed in a double-blind placebo controlled cross-over study preceded by a dose titration phase. A diuretic and/or a beta-blocker were administered concomitantly in constant dosage to 11 of the 20 patients who received bromocriptine. A wide range of doses of bromocriptine was tolerated. Side-effects of vomiting and postural hypertension did not occur, possibly due to the gradual increase in the administered doses. Plasma prolactin was not raised in this population of hypertensives. In the dose titration phase (n = 20), a small fall in diastolic but not in systolic blood pressure occurred with bromocriptine, but only with the patient standing and after exercise. In the double-blind phase (n = 9), there was no significant difference in blood pressure between the bromocriptine and placebo treatments. It is concluded that bromocriptine was not effective in lowering blood pressure in the present patients with essential hypertension.