Detection of the optimal dose of spironolactone for the treatment of benign essential hypertension
Rhomberg, F.
Schweizerische Medizinische Wochenschrift 107(35): 1228-1232
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-7672 PMID: 335498 Document Number: 114669
The blood pressure lowering effects of spironolactone have been studied in 40 subjects with benign essential hypertension in an attempt to determine the optimum starting dose for the drug. The trial was carried out by the double blind method. In almost all patients 100-400 mg spironolactone caused a signnificant decrease in diastolic and systolic arterial pressure. Present findings indicate that 100-200 mg spironolactone represents the optimum attack dose. The medication caused a significant rise in serum potassium. Other parameters were not affected by the treatment. In conclusion, it would appear that spironolactone--in association with other antihypertensive regiments--may improve the treatment of essential hypertension, especially in patients showing a tendency to hypokalemia and uricemia, and may offer an additional possibility or alternative in the therapy of hypertensive diseases.