Preliminary clinical trial with a new hypotensive, guanabenz, in a group of hypertensive patients

In a small preliminary clinical trial of guanabenz in 16 hypertensives also under treatment with diuretics (hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride), blood pressure was safely and completely controlled in 10 (64%), the criterion for "control" being a reduction to the strict level specified by the Society of Actuaries (130/85 m lambda Hg). The dosage of guanabenz was adjusted upward from 16 mg/day until blood pressure normalized or side effects intervened. The 16 patients accumulated 97 months of guanabenz treatment. The 6 unsuccessful cases included only 2 outright therapeutic failures; the other 4 patients discontinued treatment for various reasons: dry mouth and nausea (with good blood pressure reduction); aggravation of existing depression; or generalized urticaria. The fourth patient discontinued for reasons unknown.