Effects of guanabenz on plasma lipid levels in hypertensive patients

The effects of guanabenz on serum lipids were assessed from data obtained in multicenter studies involving 483 patients treated for up to 2 years for essential hypertension. The mean age of the population was 50 years; 54% were male, and 61% were white. Dosage was titrated to maximize individual blood pressure response and was maintained at that level (mean final dosage 25 mg/day) for the remainder of the treatment period. After 4 weeks of treatment, mean total cholesterol levels decreased by 10 mg/dl (p less than 0.01), and the decrease was maintained throughout subsequent therapy. The decreases in cholesterol concentration were not affected by age, race, sex, previous diuretic therapy, previous antihypertensive therapy, smoking habits, or caffeine use. Complete lipid and lipoprotein profiles were obtained on serum specimens from 39 guanabenz-treated, overnight-fasted patients. Significant (p less than 0.01) mean decreases were observed for total cholesterol (-25 mg/dl) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (-23 mg/dl) with no significant changes either in cholesterol levels of high density lipoproteins and very low density lipoproteins or in triglyceride levels. These changes indicate that guanabenz, given as monotherapy, has a favorable effect on the serum lipid profile with regard to cardiovascular risk.