Reactions 422 - 10 Oct 1992

Reconsider β-blockers inhypertension.

Lethargy (55 vs 2%), dyspnoea (23 vs 2.5%) and coldextremities (43 vs 1%) were reported in more patientswith essential hypertension receiving β-blockers (n =513) than in untreated patients (2772) in an Australianstudy. In comparison, diuretics were well tolerated.Some have suggested that β-blockers remain thetreatment of choice on the basis of cost. However, thesepharmacoepidemiological data ‘. . . argue that the useof beta-blockers should be reconsidered in thetreatment of hypertension.’Marley J, et al. Pharmacoepidemiology in the re-evaluation of hypertensionmanagement. Post Marketing Surveillance 6: 46, Aug 1992 800157914

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Reactions 10 Oct 1992 No. 4220114-9954/10/0422-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved