[Doxazosin (alpha 1-adrenoreceptor antagonist) used in primary hypertension and it's beneficial effect on lipid metabolism].

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of a new selective alpha 1-adrenoreceptor blocker doxazosin on blood pressure, serum lipids and lipoproteins in patients with essential hypertension. The study was done in 32 out-patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension (22 men and 10 women, mean age 45.6 +/- 10.1). After 2-week placebo period the patients were given doxazosin in increasing doses from 1 to 8 mg daily for 6 to 14 weeks (mean daily dose 2.24 +/- 1.6 mg). Twenty-nine patients completed the study. The active treatment caused highly significant drop in systolic and diastolic blood pressure both in supine and standing positions. No orthostatic hypertension was noted. There was also a statistically significant decrease in serum total cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol, and triglyceride levels and increase in the positive prognostic lipid indicators. HDL3-cholesterol and apolipoprotein AI levels as well as HDL/total cholesterol ratio. Accordingly, the statistically significant decrease of the so called atherogenic index was noted. The drug was well tolerated and only one patient dropped from the study because of side effects. The authors conclude that doxazosin appears to be an effective and well tolerated antihypertensive drug with a favorable effect on lipid metabolism. It may be particularly useful in hypertensive patients with coexisting lipid abnormalities.