Comparative evaluation of the extended hypotensive effect of slow-released clonidine administered alone or in association with diuretics

Recently two new slow-release preparations (clonidine “perlongetten” 250 mcg CP, and cloni dine “perlongetten” 150 mcg + chlorthalidone 15 mg, CP + D) gave been presented. The prolonged action of CP and CP + D may permit once daily administration of the drug and thus obtain better patient compliance. The hypotensive effect of CP or CP + D and possible side effects have been esamined during a 3-week trial in 19 hypertensive subjects. It was found that in mild and in some cases of moderate hypertension a single daily dose of CP or CP + D is apt to normalize blood pressure for 24 hrs. In patients with moderate and severe hypertension blood pressure is satisfactorily controlled by b.i.d. administration of CP or CP + D. The hypotensive action of the two preparations did not show consistent differences while tolerance was slightly better for CP + D.