Newer drugs in the treatment of hypertension; experience with rauwolfia drugs and protoveratrine.

Abstract

† The effects of certain preparations of Rauwolfia were studied in 58 patients who had hypertension in various degrees of severity. The doses, initially small, were gradually increased until a fall of blood pressure or unpleasant symptoms occurred and were reduced when troublesome side-effects appeared. In the 58 patients so treated, the group fall in mean blood pressure amounted to 12 and 15 mm. Hg for the recumbent and the standing positions respectively. Minor side-effects were observed in 48 and severe mental illness in 4 of the patients. In 19 patients the addition of a Veratrum preparation to the therapy caused further reductions of only 2 and 3 mm. Hg for recumbent and standing blood pressures, although the dosage was large enough to cause alarming symptoms in two. In seven patients who received Veratrum preparations alone, no consistent hypotensive response was obtained. The need of watchfulness and of individual adjustment of dosages was clearly demonstrated.