Use of a sustained-release formulation of oxprenolol and cyclopenthiazide ('Trasidrex') in the management of hypertension: a general practice study.

An open study was carried out in general practice on 678 hypertensive patients being treated with a beta-blocker but who still had resting diastolic blood pressures greater than 100 mmHg. Previous treatment was stopped and substituted with 1 or 2 tablets daily of a fixed combination product containing 160 mg oxprenolol hydrochloride in a sustained-release formulation plus 0.25 mg cyclopenthiazide per tablet. After 4-weeks' treatment on this regimen, blood pressure levels fell significantly, from 179/108 mmHg to 155/93 mmHg, without any increase in the reporting of unpleasant side-effects.

Once daily administration of a beta-blocker in hypertension.

In 156 patients in general practice, a slow release formulation of oxprenolol given once daily was substituted for conventional beta-receptor-blockers given two or three times daily. At the end of eight weeks there was a significant improvement in blood pressure control which was thought to be due to improved patient compliance. There was also a reduction in the frequency and severity of side-effects which was not drug specific but could be partly explained by the reduction in blood pressure. As 77 percent of the patients considered the once daily dose in a calendar pack to be helpful, simplification of dosage was thought to be an important factor in improving patient compliance, which resulted in better blood pressure control without an increase in unwanted effects.

Inappropriate antihypertensive therapy in the elderly.

Six symptomless patients aged 64-84 (mean 72) years received antihypertensive therapy from their family doctors. Pretreatment systolic pressures ranged from 160 to 220 mm Hg and disastolic pressures from 80 to 120 mm Hg. Within one week of starting therapy all six patients were admitted as emergencies with epidoses of unconsciousness. Admission systolic pressures ranged from 80 to 150 mm Hg and diastolic pressures from 50 to 90 mm Hg. Before admission each patient had experiences symptoms of postural hypotension and had become housebound. After antihypertensive therapy was stopped, one patient had a residual left homonymous hemianopia but the others recovered completely. A raised systolic and distolic pressure is common in the elderly; potent antihypertensive treatment may seriously impair the quality of life and is often unecessary.

Comparison of the emotional effects of a beta-adrenergic blocking agent and a tranquilizer under different situational conditions. I. Anxiety-arousing situations.

This study investigated the emotional effects of the beta-adrenergic blocking agent oxprenolol (40 mg, p.o.) and the tranquilizing agent diazepam (5 mg, p.o.) in healthy subjects under three situational conditions: an emotionally neutral control situation and two situations designed to arouse different levels of anxiety. Both oxprenolol and diazepam induced positive emotional changes only in the more strongly anxiety-arousing situation. Significant differences between oxprenolol and diazepam in inducing emotional stabilization were not demonstrable.