Controlled clinical trial of propranolol alone and in combination with dilazep in patients with angina pectoris.

The present study was performed to see if the combined treatment with propranolol and dilazep offers any advantage over monotherapy with propranolol alone in angina of effort. Thirty-four patients out of 40 with classical stable angina of effort completed this double-blind, randomized, parallel design comparative clinical trial. Both propranolol alone (20-80 mg) and in combination with dilazep (50 mg) three times a day produced a significant reduction in anginal attacks, consumption of nitroglycerin tablets and increased exercise tolerance. Propranolol in combination with dilazep produced more reduction in these parameters as compared to when it was given alone. However, this difference was not significant. The combination of the two drugs produced a significant reduction in supine systolic blood pressure and in rate-pressure product. Laboratory data did not reveal any dysfunction of liver, kidneys and hemopoietic system. The results obtained support the anticipated additional benefit from combined therapy with propranolol and dilazep in terms of some increase in efficacy.