Blood pressure and heart rate and withdrawal of antihypertensive drugs. Issue 6071 (14th May 1977)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Goldberg, A D; Raftery, E B; Wilkinson, P
• Is Part Of: BMJ. Volume 1:Issue 6071(1977)
• Page Start: 1243
• Page End: 1246
• Publication Date: 1977-05-14
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine; Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1136/bmj.1.6071.1243
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1447

Abstract

Abstract : The immediate effects on heart rate and blood pressure of withdrawing antihypertensive drugs were studied over three-day periods in 26 patients. Four groups of drugs were studied. After withdrawal all patients taking clonidine showed a considerable increase in heart rate and blood pressure with intense ectopic activity. Patients taking postganglionic neurone-blocking drugs showed a similar but less pronounced reaction with increased ventricular ectopic activity. No alarming reactions were seen after withdrawal of methyldopa or beta-blocking drugs. Methyldopa and, especially, beta-blocking drugs are less likely to produce withdrawal reactions than clonidine or the postganglionic neurone-blocking drugs, and patients taking these drugs are therefore less likely to suffer violent reactions if they forget to take their tablets.