Controlled trial of acebutolol in hypertension.

Acebutolol, a new cardioselective beta-adrenoceptor blocking agent, has been evaluated for the treatment of hypertension. Thirty eight previously untreated male patients with essential hypertension received placebo treatment during a 4-week run-in period, and then they were randomly (double-bind) allocated either to continued placebo treatment for three 4-week periods or to treatment with acebutolol 400, 600, and 1200 mg daily, respectively, for three 4-week periods. Blood pressure and heart rate were recorded at the end of each 4-week period. Treatment with acebutolol produced statistically significant reductions in blood pressure and heart rate as compared to the placebo regimen.