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Randomized double‐blind trial of injectable heptaminol for controlling spontaneous or bromocriptine‐induced orthostatic hypotension in parkinsonians
Author(s) -
Milon D.,
Allain H.,
Reymann JM,
Morel G.,
Sabouraud O.,
Driessche J.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
fundamental and clinical pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.655
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1472-8206
pISSN - 0767-3981
DOI - 10.1111/j.1472-8206.1990.tb00049.x
Subject(s) - orthostatic vital signs , medicine , potency , bromocriptine , population , placebo , plasma renin activity , anesthesia , blood pressure , analeptic , renin–angiotensin system , hormone , chemistry , prolactin , pathology , biochemistry , alternative medicine , environmental health , in vitro
Summary— Heptaminol is a molecule with experimental cardiovascular analeptic properties. In this double‐blind vs placebo trial, the potency, so far unproven, of the injectable form of a 626 mg dose of heptaminol chlorhydrate on spontaneous or induced orthostatic hypotension (OH), was assessed. Nineteen patients were included in the study: 7 displayed spontaneous OH, and in the other 12 OH was induced by bromocriptine, as monitored 103 min/after an oral intake of 6.6 mg on average. Neither spontaneous nor induced OH were recorded in 32% of the Parkinsonian population registered, with no obvious distinctive characteristics. Potency tilt‐trials, performed 15, 30 and 45 min after parenteral administration of heptaminol, revealed a significant and expressive potency of the molecule on the systolic blood pressure after 15 min ( P < 0.05). Clinical and biological tolerance was excellent. Low plasma renin activity and the absence of response to orthostatism indicated, in this population of Parkinsonian extrapyramidal syndromes, a loss in positive tonus likely to be of sympathetic origin. The anti‐hypotensive action of heptaminol does not seem to be related to any renal or even sympathetic interaction.