ANTIHYPERTENSIVE THERAPY WITH ALPRENOLOL, Aβ‐ADRENERGIC RECEPTOR ANTAGONIST

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Abstract
In a double‐blind cross‐over study on 11 patients with hypertension the therapeutic effect of theβ‐adrenergic receptor antagonist alprenolol has been compared with that of placebo, each preparation being administered for 12 weeks. Alprenolol was administered in daily doses of 200 mg during the first two weeks, 300 mg during the following two weeks and 400 mg for the remaining eight weeks. Compared to placebo, alprenolol produced on the average statistically significant reductions of about 20 mm Hg systolic and 10 mm Hg diastolic blood pressure in supine as well as in standing and sitting positions. The hypotensive effect of alprenolol followed two different time courses. In one group of patients the effect was fully developed after the first two weeks of treatment. In another group the effect continued to increase throughout the twelve‐week treatment period, reaching an average reduction of 36 mm Hg systolic and 23 mm Hg diastolic pressure. At the beginning of treatment with the higher dose of alprenolol, one patient complained of attacks of effort angina, probably related to a pronounced reduction of the blood pressure. Otherwise no side‐effects or complications were observed.