Efficacy and tolerance of the new long-acting vasodilator RO 12-4713 in hypertensive patients not managed on beta blockers and diuretics.

The new vasodilator Roche 12-4713, an oxodiazolo-pyrimidine with long-acting direct arteriolar dilating properties, was tested in 13 patients (ages 33-66 years, mean 53 +/- 7 SD) previously uncontrolled on a beta blocker-diuretic combination. The addition of Ro 12-4713 (30-180 mg per day) for 134 +/- 62 days resulted in a fall of blood pressure from 191 +/- 24/110 +/- 8 to 150 +/- 23/88 +/- 8 (p less than 0.001) without changes in heart rate (73 +/- 8 vs 74 +/- 11 bpm). Edema occurred in five patients, this was controlled in four by increasing the dose of the diuretic. Hypertrichosis appears to limit the drug's use in females. This new vasodilator proved highly effective in the treatment of severe hypertension. The long duration of action makes once a day administration possible.