Chlorpromazine and frusemide in the acute management of severe hypertension.

Fifty two patients with severe hypertension were treated with parentral chlorpromazine and frusemide. There was a gradual reduction of blood pressure without reflex tachycardia in 92.4% of the cases. No serious side effects were observed. This therapeutic manoeuvre is simple, effective and a safe alternative for the management of hypertensive emergencies, especially when continuous monitoring cannot be guaranteed. this drug regimen must not be administered concurrently with methyldopa as this exerts an additive effect leading to severe hypertension. These results compare very well with those obtained with the use of repeated small bolus injections or graded infusions of labetolol.