iewpoints Transdermal Clonidine Looks Useful in Hypertension And once-a-week administration will aid patient compliance

Recently, a transdermal system has been developed to deliver clonidine in a rate-controlled fashion over 7 days. Clinical studies have shown that, in patients with essential hypertension, this dosage form can reduce diastolic BP to < 90mm Hg in approximately 65% of subjects. Further, the reductions have been sustained during 3- and 7-month observation periods and kinetic studies have shown that steady-state drug levels are maintained to day 7 of patch application. Thus, transdermal clonidine is effective in controlling hypertension and the systemic side effects which occur are milder than those produced by oral administration of the drug. Saad N, Rybak MJ. Drug Intelligence and Clinical Pharmacy 20.· 78, Jan 1986

2 INPHARMA'' 1 Feb 1986 0156-2703/86/1005-0002/0$01.00/0 © ADIS Press