Results of the Austrian celiprolol postmarketing surveillance study

This study was initiated to assess the efficacy and safety of celiprolol in a large number of hypertensive patients. Patients received a once-daily dose of 200 mg celiprolol for the first 3 weeks. If blood pressure was not lowered satisfactorily, the investigator was asked to raise the dose to 300 mg celiprolol or add a diuretic for the next 3 weeks. The study included 2,694 patients, 2,311 of whom were evaluable over a period of 3 weeks, 1,876 over 6 weeks. On admission 10% had isolated systolic hypertension, 38% mild diastolic hypertension, 35% moderate diastolic hypertension, and 17% severe diastolic hypertension. Concomitant diseases were diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive airway disease, and peripheral arterial disease. BP was lowered in patients with hypertension of all degrees of severity. There was no obvious relation between efficacy and age or with duration of disease. Only 229 patients received 300 mg celiprolol; 223 patients additionally received a diuretic. Heart rate decreased by a mean of 8 beats/min and was lowered mostly in patients with tachycardia. In no case did heart rate fall below 50. Side effects were rare and in most cases not serious. Treatment was discontinued owing to suspected adverse effects in 58 patients (2.15%). In conclusion, celiprolol administered for up to 6 weeks appeared to be safe in the management of hypertension.