A randomized crossover comparison of acebutolol and methyldopa in the treatment of mild to moderate essential hypertension

In a randomized crossover comparison between acebutolol and methyldopa for the treatment of mild to moderate essential hypertension in 30 patients, acebutolol, a cardioselective beta-one-adrenergic blocker, at 400 to 800 mg daily was found to be significantly better (p less than 0.002) than 500 to 1000 mg methyldopa daily in reducing both systolic and diastolic blood pressures and pulse rate. Patient compliance with therapy was excellent, and there were no side-effects on acebutolol, whereas patients on methyl-dopa reported a significant number of side-effects (p less than 0.002). The potassium-sparing effect due to acebutolol was significant (p less than 0.005) and this has not been reported before. This may be beneficial in diuretic-induced hypokalaemia in the hypertensive patient.