Clinical trial of acebutolol (Sectral) in hypertension.

Acebutolol (Sectral) was used successfully in a clinical trial involving thirty-two hypertensive patients. Twenty-three patients received acebutolol at a dosage of 400--800 mg daily as sole treatment and nine patients received concurrent treatment with thiazide diuretics. In both groups of patients there was a substantial fall in diastolic and systolic pressure to levels within the normotensive range. The combination of acebutolol with thiazide diuretics was a particularly effective form of anti-hypertensive treatment where a greater anti-hypertensive effect was required. Acebutolol did not significantly slow the heart rate. The only side-effect was slight pitting oedema of both legs in one patient. Acebutolol appears to be a useful anti-hypertensive in the management of hypertension.