title: Verapamil and propranolol in essential hypertension.
abstract: Twenty-four subjects with mild to moderate essential hypertension completed this 9-wk parallel, randomized, double-blind study of the antihypertensive effects of verapamil (V) (240 to 480 mg%) and propranolol (P) (120 to 360 mg%). V lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressures in all postural positions, with an average reduction of 20/16 mm Hg. With the exception of standing systolic blood pressure, P also lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressures in all postural positions, with an average reduction of 9/11 mm Hg. Differences between V and P were significant only for sitting systolic blood pressure. Heart rate was decreased by P but was not affected by V. The PR interval was prolonged by V. Plasma levels of V and P were directly related to dose. Plasma levels of V were linearly related to those of its major metabolite, norverapamil (r = 0.81). There was no correlation between clinical response and the dose or plasma level of V or P, but all subjects who received 480 mg% V had an average blood pressure reduction of 20/16 mm Hg and plasma levels of the parent drug above 200 ng/ml. V is an effective antihypertensive for mild to moderate essential hypertension. Constipation, pedal edema, and a maculopapular rash were reported as side effects of V.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011187:Posture; D011433:Propranolol / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011897:Random Allocation; D014700:Verapamil / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: C016904:norverapamil; D011433:Propranolol; D014700:Verapamil