Pinacidil, a new vasodilator, in the treatment of patients with moderate to severe hypertension.

A new vasodilator drug, pinacidil, N'-cyano-N-4-pyridyl-N'-1, 2,2-trimethylpropylguanidine, was studied in an open trial in 15 patients with moderate to severe hypertension. Four patients received pinacidil monotherapy, and in 11 patients it was used with a diuretic or a beta-blocker. In all but one patient normotension was achieved with a mean daily pinacidil dose of 46.7 mg b.i.d. (range 20-100 mg). Side effects were few and were action-related. There was no evidence of early toxicity. Pinacidil is a promising new antihypertensive vasodilator, which deserves further clinical evaluation.