Improvement of glucose tolerance in hypertensive diabetic patients treated with guanfacine one year.

In the present study the effect of 1 year of antihypertensive treatment with guanfacine (g) has been evaluated in 18 hypertensive patients with adult-onset, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (WHO Type II). The treatment produced a marked improvement in the oral glucose tolerance test; guanfacine significantly decreased serum glucose levels, and affected only slightly the insulin secretion. It is suggested that the effect of g may be mediated via a reduction in catecholamine and/or growth hormone and ACTH secretion. The present results also suggest that treatment with guanfacine may improve individual coronary risk in hypertensive diabetic patients.