Effects of acebutolol combined with mefruside on total-body and serum potassium in essential hypertensive patients.

Fifteen essentially hypertensive patients were treated with a fixed combination of the beta-adrenoceptor antagonist acebutolol and the diuretic substance mefruside for 6 weeks. The systolic and diastolic blood pressure as well as the heart rate were significantly reduced. Before and after the treatment period, total-body and serum potassium were examined. Both parameters were not significantly changed. Diuretic therapy causes hypokalemia by increased potassium excretion in the distal tubulus, whereas beta-adrenoceptor antagonists could compensate this effect by a mechanism which is not yet clarified.