Influence of mirtazapine on the hypotensive activity of enalapril and propranolol in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Mirtazapine is a noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant. The influence of the drug on the cardiovascular system has not been definitely determined. Therefore, we made an attempt to evaluate the influence of chronic administration of mirtazapine on the hypotensive action of a single administered dose of propranolol and enalapril in spontaneously hypertensive rats. The animals were divided into eight experimental groups. Mirtazapine (5 and 10 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally for 14 days. Twenty-four hours after the last administration of the drug, the rats received a single intraperitoneal dose of hypotensive drugs (propranolol 5 mg/kg or enalapril 10 mg/kg) or 1% solution of methylcellulose. Mirtazapine administered chronically did not affect the hypotensive effect of a single dose of propranolol or enalapril in spontaneously hypertensive rats. It seems that mirtazapine could be a useful drug in patients with depression accompanied by hypertension.