EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1998 For more information contact: Julie Gilbert (651) 695-2763 or [email protected]
Drug Reduces Severity of Sudden Drops in Blood Pressure
ST. PAUL, MN (July 21, 1998) ñ The generic drug midodrine can improve blood pressure in patients suffering from a disorder that causes blood pressure to plunge when a patient stands up, according to a study published in the July issue of Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
This study examined the use of midodrine in patients with the disorder, known as neurogenic orthostatic hypotension. Midodrine, the first drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat orthostatic hypotenstion, constricts blood vessels and in turn increases blood pressure. This disorder can appear on its own or be associated with other disorders such as parkinsonism or diabetes.
"Some patients with this condition are afraid to leave home or even get out of bed in fear of fainting or passing out," said neurologist and study author Phillip Low, MD, of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. "By increasing blood pressure at times when patients need it, midodrine can help people lead a more normal life."
During the studyÃs six-day trial at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota and Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, researchers randomly gave 25 patients a placebo or midodrine. Blood pressure was measured while patients were lying down and again after standing up. Patients who took midodrine had an increased systolic blood pressure compared to those who received a placebo. In previous studies, Midodrine allowed patients to stand up longer and feel less lightheaded.
Before midodrine, treating neurogenic orthostatic hypotension was difficult and even hazardous. Many patients have partially paralyzed stomachs that make it difficult to absorb medication. Plus, patients can develop hypertension from medication that induces a constant state of high blood pressure.
Midodrine was easily absorbed in the body, and its benefits were noticed one hour after the drug was taken. The drugÃs blood pressure raising effects last only four hours; this helps prevent hypertension. Midodrine should not be taken late in the day or if patients will be inactive, cautioned Low. This also helps prevent hypertension.
Reported side effects such as goose-bumps, tingling and itching were minimal and could be controlled by decreasing the prescribed dosage, Low added.
Neurogenic orthostatic hypotension is characterized by symptoms such as weakness in the legs, sudden loss of consciousness, difficulty thinking clearly, lightheadedness, blurred vision and lack of balance.
Research was supported by Roberts Pharmaceuticals Corporation, National Institutes of Health, NASA and Mayo Clinic.
The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 15,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is celebrating its 50th year of improving patient care through education and research.
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