Interrelationship of Drugs Influencing Arterial Pressure in Man

Comparison of hemodynamic changes (cardiac output, renal plasma flow, and extremity blood flow) observed during reserpine-induced hypotension with those occurring during pentolinium-induced hypotension suggests better adaptation following reserpine. This difference is believed to be related to the gradation of onset of hypotension. It was found that reserpine-induced hypotension is potentiated by norepinephrine, and pentolinium-induced hypotension by serotonin. Pretreatment with the hypotensive agent increased the pressor response to norepinephrine and serotonin respectively, if the pressor substance was administered before the onset of hypotension.