A clinical trial of clonidine (Catapres) in private practice.

Fifty moderately severe hypertensive patients seen in private consulting practice were treated with clonidine alone or in conjunction with diuretics and other hypertensive drugs. After six months, 38 (76 percent) were still satisfactorily controlled. Small initial dosage and cautious incrementation is needed to avoid patient resistance from side-effects, principally fatigue, dry mouth and constipation, but once satisfactory control is achieved maintenance therapy is relatively trouble free.