[Minipress in the treatment of arterial hypertension in light of results from a multicenter study. II. Results of long-term monotherapy].

Of 218 patients with arterial hypertension, who responded to monotherapy with prazosin (Minipress) during the first 3 months, 178 persons completed the 12-month treatment according to the study protocol. In 9 patients (4.1%) treatment was discontinued because of increase of blood pressure and/or side effects. In the remaining cases patients did not apply for the control examination or the obtained records were incomplete. During all periods of treatment the mean values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly lower than the corresponding initial values. No significant symptoms of drug tolerance were observed. Mean daily dose of Minipress after 12 months was 5.9 in comparison with 5.6 mg after 3-month therapy. Normal systolic and diastolic pressures at the end of treatment were found in 114 (64%) and 153 (86%) patients, respectively. Full normalization of blood pressure (less than or equal to 140/90) was achieved in 105 (59%) patients. It was found that an important factor determining the antihypertensive effectiveness of Minipress is the initial blood pressure. The inverse correlation between the decrease of systolic pressure and age was found, whereas the age did not affect requiring the drug withdrawal occurred in 27 (14.4%) patients; they were usually the efficacy of Minipress in relation to diastolic blood pressure. Side effects not of moderate intensity and transient character.