Abstract
SummaryThirty‐two elderly hypertensive patients completed this randomised, double‐blind, crossover study comparing once‐daily Inderal LA (160 mg) with Half‐Inderal LA (80 mg) and a combination of Half‐Inderal LA (80 mg) plus bendrofluazide. After a placebo run‐in period of two weeks, patients received each of the three treatment regimens in random order for a four week period. Blood pressures and heart rates were measured 24 hours after the last dose of each treatment.All treatment regimens provided control of blood pressure and exercise tachycardia. Treatment with the combination of Half Inderal LA (80 mg) and 2.5 mg of bendrofluazide was well tolerated and achieved a significantly greater reduction in systolic blood pressure than either Inderal LA or Half‐Inderal LA alone. The blood concentrations of propranolol found 24 hours after the last dose of Half‐Inderal LA give pharmacokinetic support for the use of this formulation once daily in elderly hypertensive patients.