Vasodilator drugs in peripheral vascular disease.

The use of vasodilator drugs in peripheral vascular disease is reviewed. Discussed are actions and efficacy of direct-acting drugs such as isoxsuprine, papaverinek niacin and cyclandelate; the beta-receptor stimulating drug, nylidrin; and drugs which affect the sympathetic nervous system, such as tolazoline, reserpine, guanethidine, methyldopa, ergot alkaloids and alcohol. Both animal and clinical studies reveal little evidence of the effectiveness of vasodilator drugs in the treatment of obstructive arterial disease. In some patients with vasospastic diseases, vasodilators which act upon the sympathetic nervous system (reserpine and guanethidine) may have an ameliorating effect by increasing cutaneous capillary blood flow.