TREATMENT OF HYPERTENSION. AN EVALUATION OF ALPHA-METHYLDOPA.

Abstract In a study utilizing an alternating double blind technique 15 patients were given alphamethyldopa in divided doses of 1 gram daily alone and in combination with a benzothiadiazine diuretic. The average blood pressure of patients receiving the drug alone was 157/90 mm of mercury, against the placebo control of 195/109 mm. The average blood pressure of patients receiving the drug in combination with a benzothiadiazine diuretic was 164/98 mm; in the control with placebo plus benzothiadiazine diuretic, it was 169/104 mm. Alpha-methyldopa appeared to be effective in reducing blood pressure in patients with benign essential hypertension.