Sotalol and metoprolol comparison of their anti-hypertensive effect.

28 patients, aged 35-62 years, with uncomplicated hypertension, entered a double-blind, crossover study, in which the effects of single daily doses of sotalol and metoprolol were compared. Both drugs exerted a clinically useful anti-hypertensive effect as monotherapy, or in combination with a thiazide diuretic. No significant difference in hypotensive effects was noted between the two beta-blocking agents, when the dose was titrated to an optimal clinical effect. Treatment with sotalol and metoprolol was associated with a clinically insignificant increase in serum uric acid concentration. The side-effects observed were few, and in only two cases was therapy discontinued. We regard both sotalol and metoprolol as useful anti-hypertensive drugs.