Interrelationship of Drugs Influencing Arterial Pressure

Comparison of hemodynamic changes (cardiac output, renal plasma flow, and extremity blood flow) observed during reserpine-induced hypotension with those occurring during pentoliniuminduced hypotension suggests better adaptation following reserpine. This difference is believed to be related to the gradation of onset of hypotension. It was found that reserpine-induced hypotension is potentiated by norepinephrine, and pentolinium-induced hypotension by serotonin. Pretreatment with the hypotensive agent increased the pressor response to norepinephrine and serotonin respectively, if the pressor substance was administered before the onset of hypotension.