Low doses v standard dose of reserpine. A randomized, double-blind, multiclinic trial in patients taking chlorthalidone
JAMA 248(19): 2471-2477
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0098-7484 PMID: 6752448 Document Number: 183594
Reserpine in different doses was assigned in random, double-blind fashion to 329 patients with mild to moderate hypertension who had not achieved normotension with chlorthalidone therapy alone. The additional reduction of BP averaged 11.0/10.4 mm Hg with chlorthalidone, 50 mg, plus reserpine, 0.25 mg (C 50 + R 0.25); 9.5/9.4 mm Hg with C 50 + R 0.125; 6.4/8.5 mm Hg with C 50 + R 0.05; and 9.9/9.6 mm Hg with C 25 + R 0.125. The percentage of patients in whom control was achieved at diastolic BP < 90 mm Hg and at least 5 mm Hg below baseline with either chlorthalidone alone or with reserpine added was 65% with C 50 + R 0.25, 69% with C 50 + R 0.125, 58% with C 50 + R 0.05, and 56% with C 25 + R 0.125. Side effects of lethargy and impotence noted by patients with 0.05-mg dose of reserpine were only 1/3 of those noted with the 0.25-mg dose, although the incidence of other side effects did not differ. Evidently, hypertension in many persons can be controlled by less than customary doses of reserpine in combinations with a diuretic.