title: A comparison between once-daily and twice-daily administration of metoprolol in the management of hypertension.
abstract: The efficacy of metoprolol as an antihypertensive agent was assessed in 20 previously untreated Asian patients with mild to moderate hypertension. After a 4-week run-in period when placebo therapy was given, the patients were given oral metoprolol at a starting dosage of 100 mg twice daily. The dosage of metoprolol was increased at fortnightly intervals until either satisfactory blood pressure control, defined as a diastolic blood pressure of less than 90 mmHg or a greater than 10% fall in pre-treatment diastolic blood pressure, was achieved or a total of 400 mg metoprolol was reached. All 20 patients had satisfactory control of their blood pressures on a twice-daily regimen and the average dosage of metoprolol required was 200 mg daily. For the second part of the study, the medication was changed to a once-daily regimen at the same total dosage of metoprolol. Final efficacy of once-daily therapy was assessed after 8 weeks of treatment. All blood pressure and pulse rate reductions were significant (P < 0.001) from the placebo phase. However, twice-daily and once-daily readings were not significantly different from each other. No side-effects were reported during the study.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008790:Metoprolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011412:Propanolamines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011674:Pulse / Q000187:drug effects; D012846:Singapore
chemical_list: D011412:Propanolamines; D008790:Metoprolol