Ineffectiveness of propranolol in hypertensive Jamaicans

ABSTRACT

Eighteen hypertensive Jamaicans underwent a double-blind cross-over trial of propranolol in order to prove or disprove the assertion that the drug is a relatively potent hypotensive agent. Though the dosage used was high there was no significant difference in effect between the drug and an inert placebo. It is suggested that this may have been so because the "tranquillizing" effect of the drug is unlikely to be of value in Jamaican hypertensive patients. We stress that our conclusions do not necessarily apply to European patients, in whom a properly controlled trial is urgently needed, preferably for longer periods of therapy to exclude any possible "carry-over" effect. Propranolol in high dosage is remarkably free from side-effects when given to carefully selected patients. (AU)