Propranolol versus chlorthalidone--a prospective therapeutic trial in children with chronic hypertension

Abstract

A prospective study of propranolol versus chlorthalidone has been performed in eleven patients with renal hypertension and one with essential hypertension. The patients were treated for 4 to 6 weeks consecutively. Both drugs proved to be effective in lowering elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The mean blood pressure decreased by 22.3 mm Hg in propranolol-treated patients and by 15 mm Hg in chlorthalidone-treated patients. One patient developed an asthmatic attack provoked by propranolol. Four of twelve patients receiving chlorthalidone developed hypokalemia and required potassium supply. Both drugs can be recommended as drugs of first choice in children with hypertension.