Comparison of sustained-release clonidine and long-acting propranolol in the treatment of hypertension

Summary

A double-blind crossover trial was undertaken to compare the efficacy of sustained-release clonidine and long-acting propranolol in the treatment of 20 patients (8 males and 12 females) with sustained hypertension. Each patient was stabilized with metoprolol with or without diuretic therapy prior to admission to the trial. Long-acting propranolol in a once daily dosage of 160 mg proved to be effective over a 6-week period of treatment with no significant side-effects. Sustained-release clonidine in a single daily dosage of 0.25 mg was also effective over a similar period, but side-effects were more common. Although none were serious, they were sufficiently troublesome to result in 5 patients withdrawing from the trial. Despite this, sustained-release clonidine was considered a suitable drug for the treatment of hypertensive patients in whom beta-blockade is unsuitable.

Key Words::

• Clonidine
• propranolol
• metoprolol
• sustained release preparations
• hypertension