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Metoprolol monotherapy in the treatment of mild hypertension
Author(s) -
Mahapatra Rajat K.,
Mahapatra Dipta,
Paul Subir K.,
Lal Harbans,
Hunter Kenneth W.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
drug development research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.582
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1098-2299
pISSN - 0272-4391
DOI - 10.1002/ddr.430150105
Subject(s) - medicine , metoprolol , blood pressure , metoprolol tartrate , anesthesia
Metoprolol tartrate (MT) as monotherapy was administered orally in 17 patients with mild hypertension. All other drugs were discontinued 2 weeks prior to MT therapy. The present study group consisted of 10 men and 7 women within the age range of 42 to 71 years (mean ± S.D. = 55.8 ± 8). MT was administered at an initial dose of 50 mg twice daily. Subsequently, the dose of MT was titrated on a biweekly basis for a period of 12 weeks until the diastolic blood pressure was < 90 mmHg or a maximum daily dose of 300 mg was administered. The blood‐pressure‐lowering effect of MT was found to be clinically satisfactory and statistically significant ( P < 0.05). Mild fatigue and swelling of the extremities were seen in two patients each. Mild headache, transient diarrhea, and mild cloudiness of mind were seen in one patient. From this study it is concluded that MT is a safe and effective first‐step antihypertensive agent. The long‐term effect of MT as a monotherapy in the treatment of mild hypertension needs further clinical evaluation.