Use of fixed doses of beta blocking drugs in the treatment of hypertension. Randomised study of atenolol and penbutolol.

Atenolol 100 mg and penbutolol 40 mg given once a day were both effective in controlling moderate hypertension, as judged by a randomised controlled, double-blind trial in 45 patients treated for six weeks. Both drugs significantly reduced the resting supine and erect blood pressures. No serious adverse effects could be attributed to either drug. Bradycardia occurred more frequently with atenolol than with penbutolol. Penbutolol, which possesses intrinsic sympathomimetic activity, may be useful in the treatment of patients in whom some other beta-blocker has failed to bring about adequate control of the blood pressure, despite marked bradycardia.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes