BLOOD-PRESSURE AND BIOCHEMICAL-CHANGES DURING DOXAZOSIN MONOTHERAPY IN NIGERIAN HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS

The use of doxazosin as monotherapy was studied in 27 adult Nigerian h ypertensive patients for 1 year. Significant reductions in supine and sitting systolic and diastolic blood pressures were seen in all patien ts. Plasma electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride), total protein, phosphate, and albumin levels were not significantly altered throughou t treatment. Mean plasma globulin, calcium, and urea levels showed an inconsistent pattern, but the reductions in calcium and urea levels at month 12 along with the consistent reduction in plasma creatinine lev els throughout treatment with doxazosin are favorable indices of renal function. These results suggest that doxazosin monotherapy is effecti ve in the treatment of hypertension, has no adverse effects on plasma electrolyte levels or other biochemical parameters, and may improve re nal function in hypertensive patients.