[Long-range therapy of hypertension].

In 572 patients with hypertension a long-term therapy with alpha-methyldopa (Dopegyt) was carried out and this preparation was found to be highly effective. The preparation decreases the blood pressure in standing position as well as in lying position reducing mainly the peripheral vascular resistance. It is well absorbed orally. As a rule, the minute output of the heart is maintained without acceleration of the heart rate. An orthostatic hypotension was only rarely to be observed and only in a very small degree. With the help of the isotope renography could be proved that the treatment with alpha-methyldopa causes no reduction of the blood supply of the kidneys, wherefore alpha-methyldopa can be successfully applied in patients with hypertension and renal failure. Side effects appeared very rarely. During the application of 34,550 tablets of alpha-methyldopa only once a haemolytic anaemia was observed. In patients with a severe hypertension the combination alpha-methyldopa (Dopegyt) + etacrynic acid (Uregyt) evoked a distinct decrease of the systolic and diastolic blood pressure.