| Abstract
| - A double-blind, multicenter study compared the safety and efficacy of oral betaxolol 10 to 40 mg once daily (n = 68) with propranolol 40 to 160 mg twice daily (n = 73) in the treatment of mild to moderate essential hypertension. Both agents produced significant (P < 0.01) and comparable reductions in mean supine systolic and diastolic blood pressures (7/11 mm Hg on betaxolol and 9/10 mm Hg on propranolol). Both betaxolol and propranolol significantly (P < 0.01) reduced mean supine heart rate by 9 beats per minute. Patients achieved a more significant (P < 0.01) reduction in blood pressure earlier (weeks 2 and 4 of the titration period) with betaxolol. By the end of treatment there was no significant difference in response between treatment groups. A higher incidence of central nervous system side effects (insomnia, bizarre dreams, depression, hallucinations, dizziness), however, was seen with propranolol than with betaxolol. Overall, the data show that in patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension, betaxolol 10 to 40 mg administered once daily is as effective as and better tolerated than propranolol 40 to 160 mg administered twice daily. Am J Hypertens 1988; 1:206S-210S
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