Time course of blood pressure, pulse rate, plasma renin and metoprolol during treatment of hypertensive patients.

Eleven patients were treated for essential hypertension with metoprolol (Selokén) for more than three months. The time course of changes in blood pressure, pulse rate and plasma renin activity was studied during treatment with an oral maintenance dose of 100 mg twice daily. Significant decreases in pulse rate, diastolic blood pressure and plasma renin activity were observed even after the first dose. The plasma concentration of metoprolol reached equilibrium after the second dose. After the third dose there was no further significant change in blood pressure. There was a significant correlation (p < 0.001) between the initial (after three doses) and final (after > 90 days) effect of metoprolol on blood pressure (r = 0.86 and 0.91 for systolic and diastolic blood pressure change, respectively).