[Alpress osmotic tablets: a major advance in the management of hypertensive patients].

Improvement in patient compliance in hypertension requires perfect acceptability of the treatment. In this respect, the novel pharmaceutical Alpress (osmotic tablet) avoids massive release of prazosin and ensures that an effective plasma concentration is maintained throughout the 24-hour period. The Alpress osmotic tablet is a third-generation osmotic pump which allows the use of a relatively insoluble substance such as prazosin, with a drug release rate that is independent of gastrointestinal conditions. A study in 48 healthy volunteers has compared the pharmacokinetic characteristics of standard prazosin and of osmotic tablets of prazosin. After absorption of Alpress there is a 2- to 4-hour latency phase, after which there is a gradual increase to an equilibrium phase, which is virtually linear over 24 hours. These pharmacokinetic characteristics, which are also seen in elderly subjects, are of clinical importance: whereas efficacy is comparable to that of standard prazosin, the incidence of orthostatic hypotension and of other common adverse reactions to alpha-blockers is decreased by 50%. In conclusion, the pharmacokinetic characteristics of the novel pharmaceutical Alpress represent and advance in the treatment of hypertension.