Clonidine, a New Antihypertensive Drug

Abstract

CLONIDINE (Catapres, ST-155) recently became available for use by prescription in the United States as an antihypertensive drug. It is highly effective in patients with either moderate or severe hypertension, but the magnitude of response cannot be predicted a priori in the individual subject. In contrast to most other antihypertensive agents, the dose is remarkably low, in the range of 0.2 to 2.4 mg per day. Blood pressure is lowered in both supine and standing positions, with little tendency to additional decreases in the standing position. Orthostatic symptoms are considerably less than with ganglionic blockers, monoamine oxidase inhibitors and sympathetic . . .