Nebivolol in obese and non-obese hypertensive patients

Use of beta-blockers in hypertensive obese patients remains controversial because of concerns about potential influences on weight, lipids, and glucose metabolism. The authors examined a pooled analysis of 3 multicenter randomized placebo-controlled trials. Patients were randomized to placebo or an increasing dose of nebivolol for 12 weeks. Primary outcome was the mean baseline to end point change in trough mean sitting diastolic blood pressure (SiDBP). Secondary outcomes were baseline to end point changes in trough sitting systolic blood pressure (SiSBP); trough standing and peak supine diastolic blood pressure and systolic blood pressure. Nebivolol reduced SiDBP significantly compared with placebo at all doses > or =2.5 mg in obese and non-obese patients. Reductions in SiSBP with nebivolol were higher than controls at all studied doses > or =5 mg in non-obese and > or =2.5 mg in obese patients. These findings and nebivolol's neutral effects on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism suggest that it is one option for blood pressure control in the moderately obese population.