Clinical Evaluation of Hydralazine (Apresoline) Alone and in Combination with Veriloid in the Treatment of Hypertension

Abstract

Extensive pharmacological studies have shown that Hydralazine* (1-hydrazinophthalazine) is a promising drug in the treatment of hypertension (1-4). Clinical studies to date have confirmed its hypotensive effect and have indicated that in many patients the drug may be difficult to use because of its side effects (5-8). We began our study two years ago in an attempt to evaluate the hypotensive action of Hydralazine in a group of ambulatory patients. We were particularly interested in the side effects that were encountered early in the use of the drug and rather than discontinue it, an effort was made to circumvent or minimize these side effects by various measures. One of these measures was the use of Veriloid in combination with Hydralazine. We were gratified to find that not only were troublesome side effects ameliorated in some instances, but a more pronounced depressor effect was obtained with the combination of the two drugs.