Effect of doxazosin on insulin sensitivity in hypertensive non-insulin dependent diabetic patients

Summary The effect of doxazosin, an a,-adrenoceptor blocking drug, on blood pressure, sensitivity to insulin and serum lipids has been evaluated in 14 hypertensive, non-insulin dependent diabetic patients. The dose was titrated individually upwards from 1 mg until the diastolic blood pressure was below 90 mm Hg, side-effects precluded further dosage increase or the maximum daily dose of 16 mg was achieved.After 12 weeks of treatment (mean doxazosin dose 5.6 ± 5.1 mg daily), the supine and standing diastolic blood pressure of the patients had declined by about 7 mmHg, whereas their systolic blood pressure and heart rate were not significantly changed. The metabolic clearance rate of glucose increased from 2.35 to 3.37 ml - min^–1 - kg^–1 during treatment, suggesting improved sensitivity to insulin. Fasting plasma glucose was 11.9 mmol·1^–1 before and 10.9 mmol·l^–1 after doxazosin therapy (NS). Serum electrolytes and lipids did not change significantly but serum uric acid decreased from 305 to 281 mol · 1^–1 Doxazosin may be a useful alternative for the treatment of hypertension in NIDDM patients.