Oxprenolol, methyldopa and lipids in diabetes mellitus.

1 Twelve-week courses of oxprenolol and methyldopa were administered in a randomised, double-blind cross over study to ten insulin dependent hypertensive diabetics. 2 Prior to treatment, and at the end of each period of drug administration, fasting levels of high density lipoprotein, triglycerides, free fatty acids and cholesterol were measured. 3 Neither preparation altered levels of high density lipoprotein and cholesterol, but both drugs significantly reduced the free fatty acids. 4 Whereas oxprenolol did not alter triglyceride levels, methyldopa significantly elevated triglycerides above pre-treatment values. 5 Oxprenolol does not appear to influence lipoprotein fractions affecting the relative risks of coronary heart disease, but methyldopa seems to have potentially detrimental effects of triglyceride levels.