The pharmacodynamic effectiveness of metoprolol in adolescent hypertension.

The effectiveness of metoprolol in achieving blood pressure control was studied in 16 hypertensive adolescents. The hypertensive included two insulin dependent diabetics, four patients with renal disease, and ten adolescents with essential hypertension. Dose range was 100-200 mg/day for 3-12 months. Significant reductions on metoprolol therapy were achieved for systolic blood pressure (SBP) (P less than 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (P less than 0.001), and heart rate (HR) (P less than 0.001). Side effects that had been present in previous therapy were absent. On metoprolol therapy the hyperkinetic cardiovascular response to mental stress was improved for SBP and HR. Exercise stress testing also resulted in a reduced SBP and HR, while endurance capacity was unimpaired. Metoprolol is effective in adolescent hypertension with negligible side effects.