Once daily administration of a beta-blocker in hypertension

In 156 patients in general practice, a slow release formulation of oxprenolol given once daily was substituted for conventional beta-receptor-blockers given two or three times daily. At the end of eight weeks there was a significant improvement in blood pressure control which was thought to be due to improved patient compliance. There was also a reduction in the frequency and severity of side-effects which was not drug specific but could be partly explained by the reduction in blood pressure. As 77 percent of the patients considered the once daily dose in a calendar pack to be helpful, simplification of dosage was thought to be an important factor in improving patient compliance, which resulted in better blood pressure control without an increase in unwanted effects.