A Comparison of 100 mg Atenolol and 100 mg Metoprolol Once a Day at Rest and during Exercise in Hypertensives

Abstract

The effects of once daily dosage of the two cardioselective β‐adrenoceptor blocking agents, atenolol and metoprolol, were studied in 26 patients with primary hypertension. The study was a randomized double‐blind cross‐over trial with placebo run‐in and wash‐out. Assessment of effect was performed about 1 and 25 hours after dosing. At rest, both atenolol and metoprolol lowered the blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) compared to placebo. Atenolol induced a more effective BP reduction than metoprolol, especially 25 hours after drug intake. During exercise 1 hour after dosing both drugs reduced BP and HR to a similar extent, whereas 25 hours after dosing atenolol gave a more efficient BP and HR reduction than metoprolol. Our data show that both 100 mg atenolol and 100 mg metoprolol are effective antihypertensive β‐blockers at rest and during exercise, 1 hour after intake. Metoprolol was less effective than atenolol 25 hours after dosing probably due to its shorter plasma half‐life, thus implying a twice daily regimen for metoprolol in standard preparation.

Perioperative β-Blockade

“…Both atenolol and metoprolol tartrate are dose equivalent as antihypertensive ␤-blockers at rest and during exercise, 1 h after intake. 26 Metoprolol tartrate was less effective than atenolol 25 h after dosing because of its shorter plasma half-life, requiring a twice-daily regimen for metoprolol in standard preparation. 26,27 Atenolol and metoprolol succinate can be considered equally effective in the treatment of mild to moderate hypertension and can both be dosed once daily.…”

“…26 Metoprolol tartrate was less effective than atenolol 25 h after dosing because of its shorter plasma half-life, requiring a twice-daily regimen for metoprolol in standard preparation. 26,27 Atenolol and metoprolol succinate can be considered equally effective in the treatment of mild to moderate hypertension and can both be dosed once daily. 28 Mean reduction in exercise tachycardia at 24 h after dosing was significantly greater with atenolol and metoprolol succinate than with metoprolol tartrate.…”