Crossover comparison of nitrendipine with propranolol in patients with essential hypertension

The antihypertensive effect of nitrendipine (2 X 10 to 2 X 20 mg/day) was compared with that of propranolol (2 X 80 to 2 X 160 mg/day) in a randomized crossover study. Twenty-five patients were treated over two 4-week periods following a placebo period of 2 weeks. Three patients dropped out of the study because of side-effects (two on nitrendipine and one on propranolol). Arterial pressures decreased in a comparable manner from 171/107 mm Hg (measured in a sitting position) to 147/91 mm Hg after 4 weeks on nitrendipine and to 145/93 mm Hg after 4 weeks on propranolol. The frequency of side-effects possibly related to treatment was comparable for both drugs, but decreased with the duration of therapy with nitrendipine only. The antihypertensive effect of nitrendipine, but not of propranolol, correlated positively with age and plasma noradrenaline.