Cor Vasa 2009, 51(2):138-141 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2009.034

Oral urapidil in the treatment of arterial hypertension today

Josef Švejda

Vědecký konzultant pro kardiologii, Praha, Česká republika

Urapidil is the only representative of drugs with combined action: central agonist activity at the serotonin 5 HT1A receptor, and peripheral postsynaptic antagonist activity on alpha 1-adrenoceptors. It decreases peripheral vascular resistance while inhibiting increased sympathetic tone by modulation of cardiovascular centers thereby hindering reflex tachycardia. When administered orally, urapidil induces a gradual and long-term decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure without a significant rise in heart rate. The incidence of orthostatic hypotension is low. In its oral controlled-release form, urapidil is indicated for the treatment of hypertension, particularly in combination with calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers, and thiazide diuretics. Urapidil can be used with advantage in cases where the indications of other antihypertensives are limited, e. g., in dyslipidemias and in diabetes mellitus. Its minimal effect on heart rate and rare development of orthostatic hypotension are additional benefits. Tolerability of the drug is excellent. Just as with other antihypertensives, its side effects are primarily related to an initial decrease in blood pressure.

Keywords: Arterial hypertension; Urapidil; Antihypertensives in combination

Published: February 1, 2009  Show citation