Orally dissolved ketanserin in acute treatment of hypertensive patients: a controlled study.

The effectiveness of 40 mg ketanserin dissolved in the mouth in reducing blood pressure was studied in 17 hypertensive patients. Comparison with a placebo group has shown that in the first 10 min the blood pressure trend was similar for both groups; a significant fall was recorded 20 and 60 min after administration for systolic blood pressure and after 60 min for diastolic blood pressure. Therefore, orally dissolved ketanserin decreases blood pressure more rapidly than with standard oral consumption, and may be used when a rapid progressive decrease in blood pressure is required. This antihypertensive effect might be more rapid by administering more soluble tablets or ketanserin in solution.