The acute effect of phenylpropanolamine and brompheniramine on blood pressure in controlled hypertension: a randomized double-blind crossover trial.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the acute effect of phenylpropanolamine, 75 mg, and brompheniramine, 12 mg, in combination (PPA/B) on blood pressure in patients with controlled hypertension, using ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM).


METHODS
Randomized double-blind crossover trial.


METHODS
Outpatient clinic at one medical center.


METHODS
13 healthy volunteers aged 36 to 64 years, receiving medication for hypertension.


METHODS
Following 24-hour baseline ABPM, participants were randomized to receive either placebo or PPA/B every 12 hours for three doses, while ABPM continued. After a 24-hour washout period, all participants received the crossover regimen.


RESULTS
No clinically important or statistically significant difference was noted for mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures during the baseline (125/75), PPA/B (127/72), and placebo (126/73) phases of the study. Within the first four hours of treatment, the mean change in systolic blood pressure from baseline between PPA/B and placebo phases was 1.7 mm Hg (95% CI -5.3 to 8.7), and mean change in diastolic blood pressure was 0.9 mm Hg (95% CI -1.6 to 3.5), excluding a first-dose pressor effect.


CONCLUSIONS
When used as recommended, PPA/B, a commonly used over-the-counter cold medication, has no significant acute effect on blood pressure in patients with controlled hypertension.
Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio.
A S
AS
Petrulis
T F
TF
Imperiale
T
T
Speroff
D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D015924:Blood Pressure Monitors; D001977:Brompheniramine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010656:Phenylephrine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010665:Phenylpropanolamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D054199:Pseudoephedrine
D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; C007484:brompheniramine, pseudoephedrine drug combination; D010656:Phenylephrine; D010665:Phenylpropanolamine; D054199:Pseudoephedrine; D001977:Brompheniramine