Ketanserin versus metoprolol in the treatment of essential hypertension

Abstract

This study was designed to compare the antihypertensive effectiveness of ketanserin (K) and metoprolol (M) in a 3-month double-blind treatment, and to assess the long-term efficacy of K in a 1-year open trial. Twenty-four patients with mild to moderate hypertension were randomly placed in two groups: group 1 (n = 11) received K, 40 mg/day, and group 2 (n = 13) received M, 200 mg/day. In the double-blind phase of treatment both K and M significantly lowered blood pressure (BP) (P less than 0.01). The heart rate was significantly decreased by M (P less than 0.01). In the 1-year follow-up, patients were divided into three groups: group I (n = 7) had been previously treated with K and maintained on K; group II (n = 4) was given K plus M (these patients had previously been treated with K, but K had failed to decrease diastolic BP to less than or equal to 90 mmHg); and group III (n = 13) was given K (previously these patients had been treated with M). In group I, the BP lowering effect remained constant throughout the 1-year follow-up. In group III, supine and standing diastolic BP decreased significantly after treatment with K (P less than 0.05). Side effects from K were minimal. Ketanserin appears to be a new alternative approach in the treatment of mild and moderate essential hypertension.