A risk-benefit assessment of celiprolol in the treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Celiprolol is a third-generation beta-adrenoceptor blocker with selective beta 1-antagonist, partial beta 2-agonist and mild alpha 2-antagonist actions. It seems to be as effective as other beta-blockers in the treatment of hypertension and angina pectoris. beta-Blockers have many cardioprotective effects and have been shown to reduce the morbidity and mortality from coronary artery disease in a number of trials. However, there is no good clinical evidence that celiprolol itself has specific cardioprotective properties other than those attributable to this class of drugs. Because of its pharmacological profile, celiprolol is less likely to cause bradycardia, deterioration in cardiac function and other adverse effects mainly caused by beta 2-blockade. Unlike most other beta-blockers, celiprolol has no adverse effects on plasma lipids. It seems to be well tolerated in diabetic patients and patients with renal dysfunction.