Comparison of the new alpha 1-blocker alfuzosin with propranolol as first-line therapy in hypertension

Abstract

The new alpha 1-blocker alfuzosin, was compared with propranolol as monotherapy for hypertension in a double-blind, parallel group study of 8-week duration in 40 patients with essential hypertension. The patients (11 males, 29 females; mean age 47.8±2.2 years in the alfuzosin group and 46.6±2.4 years in the propranolol group randomly received either alfuzosin from 2.5 mg b.i.d. up to 10 mg b.i.d. or propranolol from 40 mg b.i.d. up to 160 mg b.i.d. according to an individualized dose-titration schedule. The two groups were comparable with respect to disease history, cardiovascular risk factors, concomitant diseases, previous treatments and end-placebo blood pressure and heart rate values. Four patients did not complete the study, two patients in the alfuzosin group: one patient because of postural hypotension and the second one because of breast cancer; and two patients in the propranolol group: one patient for inefficacy and the second one lost to follow-up. At the end of the 8-week trial the mean daily doses were 12.2±0.61 mg and 196±9.82 mg for alfuzosin and propranolol, respectively. The antihypertensive effects of the two drugs were comparable. Upright and supine blood pressures decreased significantly with both treatments from the second week on ( P<0.001 for all BP values). At the end of the 8-week double-blind trial, 83% of alfuzosin patients and 67% of propranolol patients were normalized. The two treatments differed significantly with respect to their effect on heart rate. Alfuzosin did not induce marked changes in heart rate: only a slight increase was observed. In contrast, propranolol caused bradycardia, more marked in the upright position. Palpitations, headache, asthenia and orthostastic hypotension were reported in the alfuzosin group. Asthenia and decreased libido were reported in the propranolol group. These data prove that alfuzosin has antihypertensive effects equivalent to propranolol and it is an interesting agent for the therapy of essential hypertension. It can be used as a first agent at doses between 5 and 20 mg/day with satisfactory therapeutic response and without relevant side-effects.