A randomized crossover trial was conducted in 15 patients with essential hypertension to compare the actions of prazosin, a specific alpha 1-adrenoceptor blocker, and ketanserin, an antagonist at alpha 1-adrenergic and serotonin receptors. After placebo dosing for 2 weeks, active drug was given double-blind in two 4-week phases. Satisfactory control of supine blood pressure was obtained in nine of the 12 subjects who completed the prazosin phase and 11 of the 15 subjects who completed the ketanserin phase. Whether comparison was based on supine, erect, postexercise, or ambulatory values, the blood pressure responses to prazosin (2 or 4 mg/day) and ketanserin (40 or 80 mg/day) were closely similar. Neither of the drugs significantly altered supine or erect pulse rates, body weight, serum triglyceride concentrations, plasma renin activity, or urinary aldosterone excretion, and their side effect profiles were similar. The serum cholesterol concentration was lowered by prazosin but was not affected by ketanserin. However, no other features were observed that distinguished the clinical effects of ketanserin from those of prazosin.