A multicentre, hospital study of the efficacy and safety of terazosin and its effects on the plasma cholesterol levels of patients with untreated essential hypertension.

The safety, efficacy and the effect on the plasma total cholesterol of once-daily terazosin hydrochloride administered as monotherapy was evaluated in 69 patients with mild-moderate untreated essential hypertension in this open, hospital, multi-centre, 3 month study. Patients initially received 1 mg of terazosin followed by dose titration, if necessary, to a maximum of 10 mg over the first six weeks depending upon blood pressure control. Patients then continued treatment for a further six weeks on their optimum dosage. At the end of 12 weeks' treatment, there were highly significant mean reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressures of 14.5 and 12.9 mmHg (P less than 0.001), respectively, as well as a significant reduction in the mean total cholesterol of -0.56 mmol/l (-9.5%, P less than 0.01). No serious toxicity or safety problems were observed. Once daily administration of terazosin proved to be safe and effective in reducing the blood pressure of patients with mild-moderate essential hypertension and favourably reduced the total plasma cholesterol level.