Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of alprenolol in the treatment of hypertension. II. Relationship to its effect on blood pressure and plasma renin activity

Abstract

The kinetics of alprenolol, in relation to its effect on blood pressure and plasma renin activity, have been studied in sixteen patients. A within-patient comparison was made between therapy for six weeks with placebo or alpronolol 200 mg thrice daily. Thirteen patients responded to alprenolol by a signoficant fall in blood pressure. In three other patients treatment did not lower blood pressure. In the group as a whole there was no significant correlation between the fall in systolic, diastolic or mean blood pressure, and the steady-state plasma alprenolol concentration, renin status, or degree of beta blockade. However, the thirteen responsive patients showed a significant relationship (p less than 0.05 - 0.001) between the log mean steady-state plasma alprenolol concentration and the hypotensive response.