The effects of prazosin and propranolol in combination with thiazide diuretics on blood pressure and serum lipids: a multicentre study

Abstract

We have carried out randomized 12-week multicentre study to compare the effects of prazosin and propranolol on blood pressure and serum lipids in 70 patients with essential hypertension after a 4 week minimum period of treatment with thiazide diuretics. After 12 weeks treatment with prazosin (n = 40, 1.5-12.0 mg per day) or propranolol (n = 30, 30-120 mg per day) with diuretics there was a significant blood pressure reduction from 165.1/97.9 mmHg to 151.2/90.6 mmHg and from 167/96.5 mmHg to 153/91.9 mmHg, respectively. In the 12th week a significant decrease was noted in triglyceride and in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL + VLDL-C), but no significant effects were seen in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in patients receiving prazosin. On the other hand, a significant decrease in lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) was seen in patients receiving propranolol. Twenty-six of 40 patients receiving prazosin were given an additional 12 weeks of treatment. Twenty-two of 30 patients initially treated with propranolol were switched from propranolol to prazosin after 13 weeks and given prazosin up to the 24th week. At 24 weeks, the blood pressure was 149/93.0 mmHg in the prazosin group and 155/89.2 mmHg in the group which switched from propranolol to prazosin. Triglyceride remained reduced in the prazosin group at the 24th week. In the group which switched from propranolol to prazosin, triglyceride decreased significantly over the next 12 weeks.

Investigation of chiralities of propranolol and atenolol by comparative proteomic analysis of vascular smooth muscle cells

“…propranolol has an additive effect when used with other drugs which decrease blood pressure, particularly thiazide diuretic (Goto et al 1987) or peripheral vasodilators (Barrios et al 1979), showing compatible and more effective than propranolol alone. Like other /^-blockers propranolol is able to reduce perfusion of the placenta and possible to induce negative outcomes for the neonate such as pulmonary, cardiac complications or premature birth.…”