Pinacidil monotherapy for hypertension.

Ten patients with mild to moderate hypertension were treated for 9 weeks with a tablet formulation of pinacidil. Mean supine blood pressure fell from 174/100 to 148/84 mm Hg and mean supine pulse increased by 3 beats/min. Daily dosage was 40-100 mg, given in two or three divided doses. Plasma urea increased significantly and mean weight increased by 1.1 kg. Side effects were frequent but mild, in the main being those typically associated with potent vasodilator drugs. No patient withdrew from the study, and all achieved target blood pressure.