Low dose guanfacine once-a-day for the treatment of hypertension in general practice: A multi-centre pilot study

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Abstract
In an open multi-centre study, 48 hypertensive patients were treated by their general practitioner with guanfacine in monotherapy given once a day in the evening at doses ranging from 1 to 3 mg for 6 weeks. Blood pressure was normalized in about 60% and a good response was obtained in about 80% of the patients treated, mean arterial blood pressure decreasing by 14% on average. The mean daily dose was about 2 mg. No significant influence on heart rate was observed, although patients with high initial heart rates tended to need more guanfacine. Side-effects, when they occurred, were mostly mild. It is concluded that guanfacine, because of its efficacy, tolerance, simple dose regimen and high responder rate, can be regarded as a first-choice treatment in general practice for patients with mild to moderate hypertension.