Vol 7, No 3 (2003)
Original paper
Published online: 2003-07-21
Efficacy and Tolerance of Betaxolol in the Treatment of Patients with Hypertension and Coronary Heart Disease
Nadciśnienie tętnicze 2003;7(3):157-162.
Abstract
Background The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and
tolerance of betaxolol in the therapy of patients with hypertension (HT) and/or coronary heart disease (CHD) in primary care.
Material and methods Patients not receiving a beta blocker were enrolled in an open-label clinical trial. At entry, blood pressure (2 ×) and heart rate were measured and a questionnaire was fulfilled. Betaxolol at a dose of 10–20 mg/d was administered for 8 weeks and its efficacy and tolerance were assessed by the physician (using a 4-point scale) and the patient (3-point scale).
Results A total of 6881 patients (46% M) aged from 15 to 93 years (average 67 ± 11.4) were enrolled. CHD was diagnosed in 48% (46% CHD + HT), diabetes, in 15%. The drug was most often added to hypertension (ACEI - 53%, Ca-blockers - 19%, diuretics - 42%), lipid-lowering (37%), and anti-platelet (35%) treatment. The average administered dose was 16.6 mg. Treatment led to a significant drop in blood pressure from 165 ± 18.3/99 ± 10 mm Hg to 139.6 ± 13.6/84.2 ± 8.3 mm Hg, accompanied by reduction in heart rate from 84 ± 10.3 beats/min to 70.2 ± 8.3 beats/min, at good (55%) or very good (41%) tolerance and effectiveness (good - 53%, very good - 39%). Side effects occurred only in 6% of the patients. Treated patients did not report deterioration of sleep quality (no change + improvement, 98%), mood (no change + improvement, 98%), or sexual performance (91%).
Conclusions Betaxolol is a safe and effective medication in the treatment of patients with hypertension and coronary heart disease in primary care.
Material and methods Patients not receiving a beta blocker were enrolled in an open-label clinical trial. At entry, blood pressure (2 ×) and heart rate were measured and a questionnaire was fulfilled. Betaxolol at a dose of 10–20 mg/d was administered for 8 weeks and its efficacy and tolerance were assessed by the physician (using a 4-point scale) and the patient (3-point scale).
Results A total of 6881 patients (46% M) aged from 15 to 93 years (average 67 ± 11.4) were enrolled. CHD was diagnosed in 48% (46% CHD + HT), diabetes, in 15%. The drug was most often added to hypertension (ACEI - 53%, Ca-blockers - 19%, diuretics - 42%), lipid-lowering (37%), and anti-platelet (35%) treatment. The average administered dose was 16.6 mg. Treatment led to a significant drop in blood pressure from 165 ± 18.3/99 ± 10 mm Hg to 139.6 ± 13.6/84.2 ± 8.3 mm Hg, accompanied by reduction in heart rate from 84 ± 10.3 beats/min to 70.2 ± 8.3 beats/min, at good (55%) or very good (41%) tolerance and effectiveness (good - 53%, very good - 39%). Side effects occurred only in 6% of the patients. Treated patients did not report deterioration of sleep quality (no change + improvement, 98%), mood (no change + improvement, 98%), or sexual performance (91%).
Conclusions Betaxolol is a safe and effective medication in the treatment of patients with hypertension and coronary heart disease in primary care.
Keywords: betaxololhypertensioncoronary heart disease