Safety and efficacy of moxonidine in mild to moderate hypertension.

AIMS: Moxonidine, a new imidazoline II receptor agonist was evaluated in patients with essential hypertension. METHODOLOGY: After an informed consent, 16 patients with essential hypertension were recruited. After a wash out period, the patients received increasing doses of Moxonidine (maximum dose 0.6 mg) for four weeks to control the blood pressure. RESULTS: The mean reduction in blood pressure (systolic/diastolic) was 17.6/14.5 mm Hg in supine position and 18.2/12.6 mm Hg in standing position. The significant side effect was observed only in one patient. CONCLUSIONS: Moxonidine thus appears to be safe and effective antihypertensive drug in patients with essential hypertension.