Diclofurime is a non-inotropic arterial
vasodilator and an antagonist to
calcium transport. We studied its
antihypertensive effect in 16 hypertensive subjects. When given alone at an average dose of 240 mg/day, it induced an overall significant diminution of systolic and diastolic arterial pressure. Among the 16 subjects studied,
diclofurime lowered arterial pressure below 150/90 mm Hg in seven, induced an improvement in arterial pressure in six, and showed no effect in three. When
hypertension is not controlled with 450 mg
diclofurime in 3 doses/day, it may be given in association with
acebutolol.
Diclofurime is well tolerated. The most troublesome side effects noted were
headache, cardiac erethism,
asthenia and
edema in the lower limbs. These clinical signs were usually transient. Among these 32 patients side effects required interruption of treatment in three. Laboratory follow-up was made on day 78 and 180 after initiation of treatment. No significant change in results was noted. Renal function was studied in seven patients having normal renal function and in six
chronic renal failure patients whose
inulin clearance was about 30 ml min-I. It was observed that in the normal subject, the injection of a loading dose of 40 mg
diclofurime followed by a maintenance dose of 80 mg during one hour induced a slight increase in glomerular filtration and a greater increase in renal blood flow; the filtered fraction was thus diminished.
Diclofurime induced a clear and sustained increase in excretion of water and
sodium chloride without modifying urinary excretion of
potassium. In severe
renal failure, no significant changes in glomerular filtration, renal blood flow or
electrolyte excretion were observed with
diclofurime.