[Correspondence] Atenolol in uncomplicated hypertension: time for changes â Author's reply
We thank Dr Morales for his comments; however, we do not agree with some of the points that he raises. First, in our systematic review of data from randomised controlled trials of blood-pressure lowering drugs, we showed that the adverse effect of β blockers on variability in blood pressure is not confined to atenolol. Second, the systematic review also showed that the effect of β blockers on variability in blood pressure was unrelated to the half-life of the particular β blocker studied, and so it is unlikely that twice-daily administration of atenolol would reduce the adverse effects. Third, atenolol is not the only cheap blood-pressure lowering drug. Other cheap drugs, including some thiazide diuretics and calcium-channel blockers, are also available in low-income countries and might...
[Acute reactive hepatitis in pregnancy.]
Authors: Ozsv#xE1;r Z, Solymossi Z, Monostory K
Alpha-methyldopa is a regularly used antihypertensive drug during pregnancy. Methyldopa, which decreases the sympathoadrenal system, is the first drug of choice since decades. The reactive hepatitis is not frequent, but known serious side effect of alpha-methyldopa. In non-pregnant women the estimated rate of manifest hepatotoxicity is 2.5-10%. In our case, gestation hypertension developed at the 21st gestation week of a 35 year-old pregnant woman. Oral methyldopa, a central alpha adrenergic blocker therapy was introduced. On the 23rd gestation week acute hepatitis developed. During differential diagnosis of hepatitis, the etiology of methyldopa was taken into account. Viral and autoimmune origin was rolled out. No fetal aberration was f...
