arznei-telegramm 2003; 34: 96

 
 

Hypotension with transient ischaemic attack under alfuzosin (URION, UROXATRAL): A 73-year-old patient with a history of generalised vascular sclerosis and stroke, peripheral arterial occlusive disease and suspected coronary heart disease was taking 160 mg valsartan per day (DIOVAN, PROVAS) for arterial hypertension and 80 mg sotalol (e.g. SOTALEX) twice daily for atrial fibrillation. Following acute urinary retention due to prostate hypertrophy, treatment with the alpha 1-blocker alfuzosin (URION, UROXATRAL; 2.5 mg) was initiated. On the same day, after collapsing twice with hypotensive systolic values under 90 mmHg, the patient had to be admitted to hospital. He recovered, but the next day, at his own wish in the hope of avoiding a prostate operation, he again received 2.5 mg alfuzosin. His blood pressure dropped once more to values of 90/60 mmHg, this time accompanied by brachiofacial hemiparesis which lasted for nearly one day (ADR Network report 12.981). In our ADR Network (NETWORK OF MUTUAL RECOGNITION), we so far have received five reports of arterial hypotension under the said to be prostate-specific alpha-blocker alfuzosin (also cf. a-t 2002; 33: 24). In patients with prostate hypertrophy who are receiving treatment for high blood pressure, alpha-blockers should only be used with the greatest caution.



© arznei-telegramm 10/03