Ketanserin combined with a beta-blocker or diuretic in essential hypertension. A multicentre study.

The antihypertensive effect of ketanserin 40 mg b.d. in combination with a beta-adrenergic blocking agent or a diuretic was assessed in an open study in 35 patients with essential hypertension, who had not responded to treatment with beta-blockers, diuretics or their combination. The ketanserin/beta-blocker combination decreased mean sitting systolic/diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP) from 169/107 mmHg to 156/91 mmHg at the end of the 12-week active treatment period. The decrease in systolic blood pressure was significant only at Week 8, while the decrease in diastolic blood pressure was highly significant at all times. A significant reduction in heart rate by 10 beats.min-1 was observed with the ketanserin + beta-blocker combination. The ketanserin/diuretic combination led to a significant reduction in mean SBP/DBP from 164/106 mmHg to 146/92 mmHg after 12 weeks, with no significant change in heart rate. Body weight slightly increased in both groups. There were significantly fewer adverse reactions with the ketanserin/diuretic combination than with the ketanserin/beta-blocker combination. The results indicate a potentially useful therapeutic role for ketanserin in combination with beta-blockers or diuretics.