Comparison of phenytoin and conventional drug therapy in the treatment of mild hypertension
de la Torre, R.; murgía-Suarez, J.J.; Aldrete, J.
Clinical Therapeutics 3(2): 117-124
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0149-2918 PMID: 7448841 Document Number: 156759
Two groups of 40 adult, mildly hypertensive patients were treated with conventional therapy that included diuretics, propranolol, methyldopa, reserpine or benzodiazepines (Group A) or phenytoin 100 mg orally 3 times a day (Group B). Elevated arterial blood pressures gradually declined to normal in both groups, but symptoms such as cephalea, tinnitus, palpitations, chest pain and dyspnea subsided more frequently in Group B. Drug-related side effects, i.e., epigastric distress, nausea and asthenia were seen only in Group A, but pruritus was observed in both groups. Anxiety was ameliorated in 19 of 25 patients treated with phenytoin and 14 of 26 patients treated conventionally. Thus phenytoin appears to be effective in reducing mildly elevated blood pressure and relieving symptoms typical of labile hypertension. Its use is accompanied by minimal side effects. Labile and mild arterial hypertension the most commonly encountered type, is insidious and inconsistent in onset and magnitude. Labarthe defined mild hypertension as diastolic blood pressure between 90 and 104 mm Hg with systolic blood pressure between 140-159 mm Hg. Its prevalence is 15.1% in men and 12.7% in women. The treatment of mild hypertension, if indicated, is usually carried out with moderate doses of diuretics, .beta. blockers, CNS .alpha.-adrenergic stimulators, depletors of catecholamine stores and direct vasodilators. Frequently tranquilizers and K supplements are added. Combinations of these drugs often are prescribed to attain control of the elevated blood pressure or to treat side effects produced by the therapeutic agents themselves. This study was conducted in mild hypertensive patients receiving conventional multidrug treatments or phenytoin to assess the role of the latter in the treatment of mild labile hypertension.