Antihypertensive therapy with celiprolol: a new cardioselective beta blocker.

Celiprolol is a new generation beta blocker with a novel profile of activity that includes a high degree of cardioselectivity, partial beta 2-agonist activity, and possibly a degree of direct peripheral vasodilation. The drug is hydrophilic, with fewer cardiodepressant effects than other beta antagonists. These ancillary properties may make celiprolol a more suitable beta blocker for use in a broader range of hypertensive patients than conventional agents, and additional work is ongoing in patients with obstructive airways disease, peripheral vascular disorders and those with impaired cardiac function to substantiate and extend current findings.