[Comparative effects of an alpha 1 and beta 1-2 blocker (labetalol) and a beta-1 blocker (atenolol) in the hypertensive patient].

The effects of a single oral dose and of an 8 week treatment with labetalol--an alpha 1- and beta 1-2-adrenoceptor blocking agent--and with atenolol--a beta 1-adrenoceptor blocking agent--were compared in 52 hypertensives. A single oral dose of atenolol induced a marked bradycardia without decrease in blood pressure. On the contrary labetalol lowered blood pressure but not resting heart rate. After an 8 week treatment both drugs exhibited a similar antihypertensive effect. However labetalol did not decrease heart rate and plasma renin activity as markedly as atenolol did. It was concluded that the alpha 1 blocking properties of labetalol were of importance in the development of the antihypertensive properties that this drug exhibits after a single or multiple administrations.