A comparison of slow release oxprenolol with conventional oxprenolol in the treatment of hypertension.

Sixteen patients with uncomplicated hypertension were studied in a double-blind within-patient trial comparing slow release oxprenolol (SRO) with conventional oxprenolol (CO). The anti-hypertensive effect of SRO once daily was greater than that of CO once daily, although this did not reach statistical significance. CO once daily was less effective than CObd and this difference was statistically significant for lying diastolic blood pressure. After exercise testing 26 hours post-dose, blood pressure and pulse rate were marginally lower on SRO than on CO, but this difference was not significant. Blood pressure readings 24 h post-dose were lower following morning dosing than following evening dosing, although pulse rates showed the opposite trend.