Combined beta 1-adrenoceptor blockade and/or beta 2- or beta 1/2 adrenoceptor stimulation as treatment of essential hypertension.

Single and combined therapy with terbutaline (10 mg/day) and metoprolol (200 mg/day) and single therapy with orciprenaline (30 mg/day) were assessed over 8 weeks in a total of 45 patients with essential hypertension. Blood pressure at rest was comparably reduced by metoprolol + terbutaline and metoprolol alone, but with terbutaline and orciprenaline only after 4 weeks. The responder rates (greater than or equal to 10% reduction in diastolic blood pressure) at rest were 58% (metoprolol + terbutaline), 63% (metoprolol) and significantly lower with terbutaline alone at 42% and orciprenaline alone at 45%. The heart rate was affected only by metoprolol monotherapy, which caused a significant decrease. The beta-adrenoceptor stimulators terbutaline and orciprenaline in the chosen doses slightly decreased blood pressure and did not increase the heart rate. Metoprolol was an effective antihypertensive agent but decreased the heart rate. Under combined therapy with terbutaline, there was no additional blood pressure decrease, but the heart rate remained unaffected.