Review of studies with urapidil in elderly hypertensives

Urapidil, an antihypertensive agent with dual action (alpha 1-adrenergic antagonist and 5HT1A agonist) is well established in the treatment of arterial hypertension. The present brief review deals specifically with data obtained with urapidil in the treatment of elderly hypertensive patients. Some of these data, dealing with 245 patients aged > or = 65 years, have previously been published, but additional data from more than 5000 hypertensive patients in this age group on file will be reviewed as well. This unique and large data base clearly indicates that urapidil is an effective antihypertensive agent also when used in the treatment of elderly patients. Moreover, urapidil is well tolerated in this age group and has, in addition, a potentially favourable lipid profile. It may therefore be concluded that urapidil is well suited for the treatment of hypertension in the elderly.