title: A double-blind comparison of indoramin and propranolol in the treatment of moderate to severe essential hypertension.
abstract: In a double-blind study, patients with moderate to severe essential hypertension were treated randomly with either indoramin or propranolol orally. The dose of both drugs was increased as necessary, to a predetermined level, in order to reduce the diastolic (Phase V) blood pressure to 100 mmHg or less. Patients were followed up for 12 weeks. There were 23 patients on propranolol and 27 on indoramin. The blood pressure in 22 patients on propranolol and 25 patients on indoramin was satisfactorily controlled in both the supine and standing positions. Mean supine blood pressure decreased from 181.3 +/- 14.2/116.2 +/- 6.8 mmHg to 140.6 +/- 7.1/95.7 +/- 3.6 mmHg after 12 weeks of treatment in patients receiving propranolol and from 188.3 +/- 18.9/118.4 +/- 8.7 mmHg to 144.7 +/- 7.3/95.7 +/- 2.5 mmHg in those treated with indoramin. There were no significant differences between the effects on supine and standing blood pressures and blood pressure control was maintained throughout the 12-week period in patients receiving indoramin and those receiving propranolol. Propranolol reduced the mean heart rate by approximately 16 beats/min in both the supine and standing positions. The maximum effect was seen 4 weeks after starting treatment and was maintained throughout the study. Sinus bradycardia (heart rate less than 60/min) occurred in 9 (39%) patients receiving propranolol. Indoramin caused a small but significant reduction in mean heart rate of approximately 4 beats/min in both the supine and standing positions. The maximum effect was seen after 2 weeks of treatment and was maintained for the rest of the duration of treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007211:Indoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007217:Indoramin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011433:Propranolol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011897:Random Allocation
chemical_list: D007211:Indoles; D007217:Indoramin; D011433:Propranolol