Blood pressure drug safety

Finally, drug treatment in the elderly is of great importance and warrants special attention with regard to safety and tolerability, since systolic blood pressure is recognized as an important target for treatment, particularly in older persons. The benefits of antihypertensive treatment in the elderly and in patients with isolated systolic hypertension are greater than in younger persons. 

The primary objective of a Phase I trial is to assess the safety of the drug in humans. Studies are normally conducted in healthy male volunteers, although specific categories of subject may be used in certain cases. For example, to avoid the risk of low blood pressure, subjects with mild hypertension would be more appropriate for the evaluation of antihypertensive drugs, while patients are likely to be used in the case of drugs that are expected to produce significant toxic effects (e.g. anti-cancer cytotoxic drugs). Remuneration may be offered for participation in the study. The number of subjects is normally between 10 and 100 people. 

Cardiovascular safety. Both drug types promote salt retention, can exacerbate heart failure and tend to raise blood pressure. COX-2 selective drugs also appear to raise the risks of thrombotic events, notably stroke and myocardial infarction, and recent evidence suggests that non-selective NSAIDs also raise these risks, though it is unclear whether to the same degree. For both drug types, dose and duration of treatment appear to affect risk. 

Type B effects vary depending on the drug used, e.g. heparin and thrombocytopenia, ticlopidine and thrombocytopenia. Clopidrogel shows excellent acceptability. According to the results of phase I and phase II trials, the neurocytoprotectors currently under development have a very variable safety profile. Anti-NMDA agents can induce psychostimulation, psychotomimetic effects and increase blood pressure. For cardiac effects, QTc lengthening is still a problem with eliprodil and lubeluzole. 

These drugs stimulate respiration in coma or fainting but because of its narrow margin of safety, they are occasionally used. Nikethamide is no longer used. Doxapram stimulates respiration and raises the blood pressure. 

Prazosin, doxazosin, and terazosin are all efficacious in patients with BPH. These drugs are particularly useful in patients who also have hypertension. Considerable interest has focused on which -receptor subtype is most important for smooth muscle contraction in the prostate subtype-selective K1A-receptor antagonists might lead to improved efficacy and safety in treating this disease. As indicated above, tamsulosin is also efficacious in BPH and has relatively minor effects on blood pressure at a low dose. This drug may be preferred in patients who have experienced orthostatic hypotension with other -receptor... 

Two parallel groups of healthy volunteers received 20 mg of citalopram (n = 12) or placebo (n = 6) once daily for 10 d in a randomized, double-blind fashion, followed by concomitant selegiline, 10 mg once daily for 4 d. The safety of this drug combination was assessed by measurements of blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, and inquiries for adverse events. Blood samples were taken for the analysis of serum concentrations of selegiline, citalopram, and their metabolites. In addition, plasma was obtained to measure prolactin, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and 3,4-dihydroxyphanolglycol (DHPG), the urinary excretion of norepinephrine and 5-hydroindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), the urinary metabolite of serotonin. 

SAFETY PROFILE A human poison by an unspecified route. An experimental poison by intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intraperitoneal routes. Moderately toxic by ingestion and parenteral routes. Causes rapid pulse, rise in blood pressure, and other actions similar to epinephrine. An experimental teratogen. Used in production of drugs of abuse. Has been known to cause allergic sensitization. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of NOx. 

SAFETY PROFILE Poison by ingesdon, intravenous, and subcutaneous routes. An experimental teratogen. Human systemic effects by ingesdon haUucinadons, distorted percepdons, convulsions, nausea or vomidng, blood pressure elevadon. Experimental reproducdve effects. Human mutadon data reported. Used in producdon of drugs of abuse. When heated to decomposidon it emits toxic fumes of NOx. See also ERGOT. 

SAFETY PROFILE Poison by intravenous and implant routes. Human systemic effects by intravenous route blood pressure lowering, gastrointestinal effects, and allergic dermatitis. An FDA proprietar drug. Caution Excessive use may lead to addiction or habituation. Allergenic effects by intravenous route. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of Na20 and NO.. See also BARBITURATES. 

SAFETY PROFILE Poison by ingestion, intraperitoneal, intravenous, and subcutaneous routes. Human systemic effects by ingestion wakefulness, blood pressure lowering, constipation, hepatitis, fibrous hepatitis. Experimental reproductive effects. Questionable carcinogen with experimental neoplastigenic data. Mutation data reported. Used as a drug for the treatment of depression. When heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of SOx and NO. ... 

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