Antihypertensive and Beta-Blocking Effect of Long-Acting Propranolol

ABSTRACT

Antihypertensive and beta-adrenoceptor blocking effect of long-acting propranolol were observed in the outpatient department, Department of Internal Medicine, National Medical Center during the period between December, 1981 and May, 1982. The clinical effects of long-acting propranolol were compared with those of conventional propranolol and following results were obtained. 1) Direct cross-over from conventional propranolol 20mg three times a day for several days to long-acting propranolol 160mg once daily was not accompanied by appreciable side effect and there was fairly good antihypertensive effect either in systolic or diastolic pressure. 2) Antihypertensive and bata-adrenoceptor blocking effect of long-acting propranolol 160mg once daily were comparable to those of conventional propranolol 40mg three or four times a day. The compliance of the patients to long-acting propranolol once daily was naturally better than that to conventional propranolol which must be taken three to four times daily. 3) In several cases of trial, the patients who tolerated the long-acting propranolol 160mg per day also well tolerated the regimen of long-acting propranolol 320mg per day, 4) The regimen of long-acting propranolol once daily was recommendable to those patients who were on beta-blocking agents for prolonged period of time for their indications such as hypertension and other chronic cardiovascular diseases, in view of the aspects of good patient compliance, good antihypertensive and beta-blocking effect.