Key result
Twice-daily slow-release alprenolol matches four-times-daily standard dosing for improving exercise tolerance.
Why the study?
The optimal dosing regimen and formulation of alprenolol for sustained antianginal effect in angina pectoris patients was unclear.
RCT
Double-blind
Crossover
May support twice-daily dosing in angina; leaves open optimal regimens and outcomes in larger trials.
In a double-blind crossover trial in angina pectoris patients, alprenolol in a slow-release formulation (Aptin Durules) was compared with ordinary Aptin tablets. Four hundred mg per day in tablets given four times a day produced the same increase in exercise tolerance five hours after last intake as did an equivalent dose of slow-release formulation given twice per day nine hours after intake. Aptin Durules in double the dosage had a considerably greater effect. An optimal, sustained and antianginal effect of alprenolol is best achieved by giving 400 to 800 mg per day of slow-release formulation with 10 to 12 hours' dosage interval.
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Lorentzen et al. (1975) conducted an RCT in Angina pectoris. Alprenolol slow-release formulation (Aptin Durules) vs. Ordinary Aptin tablets (400 mg per day given four times a day) was evaluated on Increase in exercise tolerance. Alprenolol slow-release formulation (400 mg/day twice daily) produced the same increase in exercise tolerance as ordinary tablets (400 mg/day four times daily); a double dose had greater effect.
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