The efficacy of additive use of etizolam in patients with essential hypertension and unspecified complaints.

The relationship between hypertension and emotional depression or anxiety has been long-argued. We assessed the efficacy of etizolam (an antianxiety drug) in 18 patients with essential hypertension accompanied with unspecified complaints. In the assessment of overall improvement, 4 patients (22.2%) were rated as markedly improved, 4 patients (22.2%) as moderately improved, 7 patients (38.9%) as slightly improved, 3 patients (16.7%) as unchanged, and none as worsened. Systolic and diastolic pressure decreased significantly in 13 patients (72.2%) and 10 patients (55.5%), respectively. Many subjective symptoms such as anxiety, fatigue and depression improved. No significant adverse reaction from drug was observed. These results allow us to conclude that etizolam is effective and safe for the treatment of essential hypertension accompanied with unspecified complaints.