The Effect of Alprenolol and Alprenolol in Combination With Saluretics in Hypertension

The effects of saluretic diuretics, alprenolol and these agents combined have been investigated in 23 patients with mild or moderately severe hypertension. Mean age was 60 years (range 43–75 years). The results of the study show that: Alprenolol in a dose of 426 mg daily gave the same reduction of diastolic pressure as previous treatment with diuretics. In order to achieve the same reduction of systolic pressure a mean dose of 700 mg alprenolol daily was required. The combination saluretic diuretics and alprenolol appears to give re‐inforcement of the antihypertensive effect as combination of 1/4 of the dose of each agent gave equally good control of the blood pressure as the full dose of either agent alone. Some increase of serum uric acid was observed during the treatment with the higher dose of alprenolol. Slight weight gain was observed during all alprenolol periods. Potassium substitution was given only during diuretic periods but despite this the serum potassium levels were higher during treatment with alprenolol. The combination provides a good alternative for the treatment of raised blood pressure.