Changes in blood pressure, heart rate and thyroid hormones after sudden withdrawal of pindolol and atenolol in hypertensive patients

Abstract

In a double-blind study 19 patients with mild and uncomplicated arterial hypertension were randomized to treatment with either pindolol 10 mg or atenolol 100 mg once daily for 4 weeks. After abrupt withdrawal a minor overshoot of free-T₃ was seen in both groups. This was, however, statistically significant in the pindolol group only. The only overall haemodynamic changes which was observed after the withdrawal was an overshoot in heart rate in the standing position in the atenolol group. Great inter-individual differences in the haemodynamic parameters were found, however, and changes suggestive for withdrawal syndrome were found in 14 patients (pindolol=7). The time for this overshoot varied considerably from 48-132 h post-drug in both groups. No correlation between the alterations in free-T₃ and the cardiovascular parameters was found.

Key Words:

• beta-blocker withdrawal
• hypertension
• thyroid hormones