Effect of minoxidil on sympathetic nervous activity in clonidine-treated hypertensive patients

The effects of clonidine and minoxidil on sympathetic nervous activity has been studied in 10 patients with accelerated or resistant hypertension. Clonidine 150 to 900 micrograms/day caused a significant decrease in blood pressure of 18.6 mm Hg, of heart rate 16.4 beats/min, of plasma renin activity 1.13ng/ml h, and of urinary noradrenaline excretion 11.55 micrograms/day, and a significant lengthening of the pre-injection period of 12.4 ms. Minoxidil 5 to 22.5 micrograms/day caused a further significant decrease in blood pressure of 24.2 mm Hg, and significant increases in heart rate 8.2 beats/min, plasma renin activity 1.68 ng/ml h and of urinary noradrenaline excretion 5.0 micrograms/day, and a significant shortening of the pre-ejection period of 20.6 ms. Neither clonidine nor minoxidil altered plasma dopamine beta-hydroxylase activity or the cardiovascular responses to treadmill exercise. It is concluded that clonidine is a useful alternative agent to block a minoxidil-induced increase in sympathetic nervous activity.