[Treatment of arterial hypertension in the elderly with an alpha-blocker: nicergoline (author's transl)].

Abstract

The tolerance and anti-hypertensive activity of nicergoline, an alpha-adrenoceptor blocking agent, were studied in 28 hypertensive subjects older than 65 years (mean age: 84 years). The trial was conducted double-blind: 14 subjects were given nicergoline 30 mg/day divided into 6 doses ("lyocs"), and 14 subjects received a placebo identical in appearance with the drug. A mean decrease of 34 mm Hg in systolic arterial pressure (p < 0.001) and of 16 mm Hg in diastolic arterial pressure (p < 0.001) was observed in subjects under nicergoline. The corresponding changes in blood pressure (-12 and -7.9 mm Hg respectively) in subjects under placebo were not significant. No side-effect requiring discontinuation of treatment was encountered. The remarkable effectiveness and tolerance of nicergoline make it a highly suitable agent for the treatment of hypertension in elderly people.

• Authors: F Forette, D Varin, J F Henry, M P Hervy
• Journal: La Nouvelle presse medicale (Nouv Presse Med) Vol. 9 Issue 48 Pg. 3685-8 (Dec 20 1980) ISSN: 0301-1518 [Print] France
• Vernacular Title: Traitement de l'hypertension artérielle du sujet âgé par un alpha-bloquant: la nicergoline.
• PMID: 7005872 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, English Abstract, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Ergolines
• Nicergoline

Topics

• Aged
• Clinical Trials as Topic
• Double-Blind Method
• Ergolines (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Humans
• Hypertension (drug therapy)
• Male
• Nicergoline (adverse effects, therapeutic use)