The hypotensive effect of fusaric acid: the results of long-term administration of fusaric acid in elderly hypertensive patients.

The hypotensive effect of fusaric acid calcium salt (Calcium salt of 5-butylpicolinic acid) was examined clinically in 10 elderly hypertensive patients by the long-term administration of this agent and the following results were obtained. 1) The means of the systolic and/or diastolic blood pressures of each patient were significantly lower during the first year of the trial period than those during the one year's control period in all patients. 2) The means of the systolic and/or diastolic blood pressures of each patient were significantly lower during the second year of the trial period than those during the one year's control period in whom administration of fusaric acid calcium salt was continued throughout two years. A significant reduction of the systolic blood pressure was observed in 3 out of 6 patients and that of the diastolic blood pressure was observed in 5 out of 6 patients. 3) Comparison was made between the means of the systolic and diastolic blood pressures during the one year's control period and those during the six month's placebo period after two year's administration of fusaric acid calcium salt. During the placebo period, both systolic and diastolic blood pressures showed a tendency of returning to the levels during the control period confirming the hypotensive effect of this agent. 4) Laboratory findings after one year's administration of fusaric acid calcium salt showed no adverse effect of this agent.