Acute and long-term antihypertensive effect of bopindolol--a nonselective beta-adrenergic blocker with ISA

14 male hypertensive patients, mean age 53 years first took part in a 3 month, double-blind crossover comparison of 1-2 mg bopindolol, a nonselective beta-blocker with ISA, and 100-200 mg metoprolol. Effects on blood pressure and heart rate were followed. One patient dropped out after the initial phase and the remaining 13 patients were followed for 1 year on bopindolol. 8 patients measured blood pressure at home, and in them bopindolol 1 mg o.d. and 8 mg once weekly were compared in a double-blind fashion, for 3 weeks on each regimen. Finally, after 1 year on bopindolol, treatment was withdrawn and blood pressure and heart rate were followed in 10 of the initial patients. Bopindolol in a mean dose of 1.35 mg/day caused a significant reduction in blood in pressure (26/15 mmHg), as did metoprolol (24/13 mmHg) in a mean dose of 144 mg/day. No significant difference in antihypertensive response was observed. Supine and standing heart rate were reduced both during bopindolol and metoprolol treatment. During long-term therapy with bopindolol, satisfactory blood pressure control was maintained up to 1 year in all patients, the average supine blood pressure being reduced from 173/107 to 144/90 mmHg. During treatment with bopindolol 8 mg once weekly, the blood pressure control was satisfactorily maintained over the week and no significant difference was observed in comparison with daily administration (1 mg) of the drug. When active treatment was withdrawn, a gradual increase in blood pressure and heart rate was observed, the pretreatment values being reached 8 weeks after discontinuation of bopindolol therapy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)