[Prazosin in the treatment of hypertension: effect on lipid metabolism].

In an open, non-comparative study, the effect of Prazosin, a selective and competitive inhibitor of alpha-adrenergic receptors, on blood pressure and lipid metabolism was studied in out-patients with hypertension. The pronounced antihypertensive effect of this vasodilator was confirmed. In almost all patients, i.e. in 144 of 171 patients with monotherapy, Prazosin caused a significant decrease of diastolic blood pressure within 3 to 6 weeks (in sitting position reduction to values below 90 mm Hg). This confirms the established antihypertensive effect due to vasodilation. In addition, Prazosin therapy is associated with a significant reduction in total cholesterol (p less than 0.001), a significant increase of HDL-cholesterol (p less than 0.001), a significant reduction of triglycerides (p less than 0.01) during the study period of 26 weeks. Prazosin monotherapy had a more pronounced influence on serum lipids than the combination of Prazosin with a diuretic. Prazosin was tolerated well; only during the first treatment weeks, a higher frequency of side effects due to abrupt reduction of blood pressure was observed, closely correlating with a too rapid increase of daily dose. Due to its proven antihypertensive effect and its favorous influence on lipid metabolism, Prazosin is suited for long-term treatment of hypertension, thus reducing two major risk factors, associated with coronary heart disease.