[Effect of co-dergocrine mesylate on catecholamines and prolactin in elderly hypertensive patients]

The antihypertensive efficacy of co-dergocrine mesylate (a mixture of dihydroergocornine mesylate, dihydroergocristine mesylate, and alpha- and beta-dihydroergocryptine mesylates; Hydergin) and its effects on heart rate, plasma catecholamines, catecholamine excretion and plasma prolactin was tested in 12 elderly hypertensive patients. Co-dergocrine mesylate (6 mg or 12 mg, 1 or 2 tablets once a day) caused a significant reduction of the blood pressure during rest and under physical stress without a reactive increase of the heart rate. Plasma norepinephrine and prolactin as well as urinary excretion of norepinephrine and epinephrine were not affected by co-dergocrine mesylate. The therapeutic advantage of co-dergocrine mesylate for the treatment of hypertension in the elderly is discussed.