Urapidil in the Treatment of Hypertension

Urapidil is an α₁-adrenoceptor antagonist which also has a central antihypertensive effect, the mechanism of which has yet to be conclusively defined. A number of open and comparative studies have produced evidence for the efficacy and safety of urapidil. A study recently completed by the author produced a dose-dependent antihypertensive effect of urapidil which, however, failed to achieve statistical significance, probably due to a large variance of the data and an unexpectedly large placebo effect. Adverse reactions are those expected from an α₁blocker, particularly dizziness, as well as nausea and fatigue. Urapidil is potentially an important new antihypertensive agent; further variable dose and combination (with other antihypertensive agents) studies would help further define its therapeutic niche.