THE ROLE OF ALPHA1‐BLOCKERS IN COMBINATION THERAPY FOR HYPERTENSION

Abstract

SUMMARYAntihypertensive monotherapy provides adequate blood pressure control in less than 50% of patients with hypertension (BP>140/90 mmHg), especially those with stage 2‐3 disease. This article reviews clinical studies that demonstrate that add‐on therapy with an alpha1‐blocker (doxazosin, terazosin or prazosin) is an effective and well‐tolerated regimen for improving blood pressure control in patients with inadequately controlled hypertension. Furthermore, alpha1‐blockers have therapeutic benefits that go beyond blood pressure management. They have a small but positive effect on the serum lipid profile and they have favourable or benign effects on conditions that frequently coexist with hypertension, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus and benign prostatic hyperplasia. (Int J Clin Pract 2000; 54(1): 36‐41)