Atenolol improves blood pressure control in patients taking captopril and frusemide.
In a double-blind randomised cross-over study atenolol 100 mg daily and matching placebo were given to 14 patients whose blood pressure (BP) was uncontrolled on a fixed dose of captopril and frusemide. Atenolol produced a further reduction in both supine (170/105 mmHg to 163/94 mmHg) and standing (171/114 mmHg to 160/96 mmHg) BP and a significant fall in pulse rate and plasma renin activity (PRA). This fall in BP showed a highly significant correlation with pre-treatment plasma renin levels. No adverse side effects were encountered during the study. Previous suggestions that beta-blockade had no additional hypotensive effect in patients receiving captopril were not substantiated. For patients whose BP was poorly controlled with captopril and a diuretic, a selective beta-blocker is suggested as a useful third line agent.
Potter
J F
JF
Department of Medicine, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Beevers
D G
DG
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001262:Atenolol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002216:Captopril / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005665:Furosemide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011897:Random Allocation
D001262:Atenolol; D005665:Furosemide; D002216:Captopril