Antihypertensive effects of oxprenolol and propranolol

The antihypertensive effects of the beta blockers oxprenolol and propranolol were compared in a randomized double-blind study of patients with standing diastolic pressures (SDP) exceeding 99 mm Hg when receiving hydrochlorothiazide alone. After 3 wk of hydrochlorthiazide with placebo, the latter was replaced with oxprenolol (n= 12) or propranolol (n = 14), 20 mg three times daily. Beta blocker was increased subsequently to 40 and 80 mg three times daily if SDP exceeded 89 mm Hg. Nine oxprenolol and 7 propranolol subjects were hospitalized for 24-hr monitoring. With oxprenolol, standing pressure declined from 135 +/- 2 (SE)/104 +/- 1 MM Hg to 128 +/- 3/90 +/- 2. SDP declined to under 91 mm Hg in 7 of 12 subjects, and to from 91 to 95 in 3 subjects. With propranolol, findings were 138 +/- 3/106 +/- 2 to 123 +/- 3/89 +/- 3; in 7 of 12 to less than 91 mm Hg and from 91 to 95 in 4 subjects. Decrements in supine and SDP were slightly (4 mm Hg) greater for propranolol than for oxprenolol. Both drugs gave similar 24-hr blood pressure control. We conclude that oxprenolol and propranolol used to supplement hydrochlorothiazide provide comparable reductions in blood pressure and smooth control over a 24-hr period in most patients with hypertension.