Nitrendipine and atenolol: comparison and combination in the treatment of arterial hypertension

The effectiveness and tolerability of nitrendipine (Bay e 5009) and atenolol in the treatment of mild or moderate arterial hypertension in monotherapy and in association were evaluated in a randomized double-blind study. The drugs were administered once daily at the dose of 20 mg for nitrendipine and 100 mg for atenolol. The trial consisted in two phases of monotherapy and of a combined regimen phase, whose sequence was randomly established; tablets were administered according to a double-dummy design. The results were evaluated according to the criteria of the Hypertension Detection and Follow-up Program Cooperative Group. 5/20 patients were considered "responders" after atenolol treatment, 4/20 after nitrendipine alone, and 14/20 after combined therapy. Side effects resulted mild in severity, and their incidence was lower during the association phase. The combination of atenolol and nitrendipine appears to improve the effectiveness and acceptability of both drugs.