Comparison of the new alpha 1-blocker alfuzosin with propranolol as first-line therapy in hypertension

• Published in: Pharmacological research 1991-07, Vol.24 (1), p.41-52
• Main Authors: Sega, R., Marazzi, M.E., Bombelli, M., Vulpis, V., Antonacci, A., di Priolo, S. Leto, Pirrelli, A., Libretti, A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists - adverse effects; Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists - therapeutic use; Adult; alfuzosin; Antihypertensive Agents - therapeutic use; Blood Pressure - drug effects; Double-Blind Method; Electrocardiography; essential hypertension; Female; Heart Rate - drug effects; Humans; Hypertension - drug therapy; Hypertension - physiopathology; Male; Middle Aged; propanolol; Propranolol - adverse effects; Propranolol - therapeutic use; Quinazolines - adverse effects; Quinazolines - therapeutic use
• ISSN: 1043-6618; 1096-1186
• DOI: 10.1016/1043-6618(91)90063-4

The new alpha 1-blocker alfuzosin, was compared with propranolol as monotherapy for hypertension in a double-blind, parallel group study of 8-week duration in 40 patients with essential hypertension. The patients (11 males, 29 females; mean age 47.8±2.2 years in the alfuzosin group and 46.6±2.4 years in the propranolol group randomly received either alfuzosin from 2.5 mg b.i.d. up to 10 mg b.i.d. or propranolol from 40 mg b.i.d. up to 160 mg b.i.d. according to an individualized dose-titration schedule. The two groups were comparable with respect to disease history, cardiovascular risk factors, concomitant diseases, previous treatments and end-placebo blood pressure and heart rate values. Four patients did not complete the study, two patients in the alfuzosin group: one patient because of postural hypotension and the second one because of breast cancer; and two patients in the propranolol group: one patient for inefficacy and the second one lost to follow-up. At the end of the 8-week trial the mean daily doses were 12.2±0.61 mg and 196±9.82 mg for alfuzosin and propranolol, respectively. The antihypertensive effects of the two drugs were comparable. Upright and supine blood pressures decreased significantly with both treatments from the second week on ( P