Nebivolol versus nifedipine in the treatment of essential hypertension: a double-blind, randomized, comparative trial.

The efficacy and acceptability of 5 mg nebivolol once daily, a long-acting, vasodilating cardioselective beta blocker that additionally facilitates the L-arginine/nitric oxide system, was assessed in a double-blind, randomized trial in comparison with 20 mg nifedipine retard twice daily in patients with essential hypertension. At 2 weeks of treatment, nebivolol was significantly more effective. Thereafter, both drugs effectively and similarly lowered systolic and diastolic pressures without orthostatic effect. Nebivolol had a trough-to-peak antihypertensive effect ratio of 90%. Nifedipine gave the expected side effects of headache, flushing, and edema. Nebivolol was well tolerated. Nebivolol slightly but significantly lowered heart rate. Neither drug adversely affected plasma levels of lipids.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes