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Atenolol 100 mg and penbutolol 40 mg given once a day were both effective in controlling moderate hypertension, as judged by a randomised controlled, double-blind trial in 45 patients treated for six weeks. Both drugs significantly reduced the resting supine and erect blood pressures. No serious adverse effects could be attributed to either drug. Bradycardia occurred more frequently with atenolol than with penbutolol. Penbutolol, which possesses intrinsic sympathomimetic activity, may be useful in the treatment of patients in whom some other beta-blocker has failed to bring about adequate control of the blood pressure, despite marked bradycardia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molsidomine was compared with propranolol for anti-anginal efficacy in a double-blind, cross-over, fixed-dose clinical trial, involving 39 patients with moderate, stable angina pectoris, and objective evidence of coronary sclerosis. The incidence of anginal attacks under molsidomine did not differ statistically from that under propranolol. However, propranolol was more effective in reducing the nitroglycerin requirement at the doses used. Ergometry showed that both drugs increased exercise tolerance to a comparable extent. However the rate pressure product during exertion indicates that these drugs achieve this result via different paths, molsidomine having a nitrate-like effect. Unwanted effects during the four week treatment periods were minor and generally tolerable. Molsidomine is an effective long-acting anti-anginal agent with nitrate-like effects and should be a useful addition to the drugs already in use. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Thirty-eight ambulatory patients with congestive cardiac failure took part in a double-blind clinical trial of 50 mg hydrochlorothiazide orally daily and slow-release formulation of 60 mg furosemide orally daily. Following a one-week period of placebo administration, patients were randomly allocated to the treatment which they continued for six weeks. Other diuretic drugs were discontinued at entry, but antihypertensive drugs and digoxin were continued during the study at constant dosage. A controlled sodium diet was prescribed. Clinical observations and biochemical and hematologic measurements were made before, during, and at the end of the study. There was an improvement in the clinical condition of patients in both treatment groups, but no significant difference between treatments (with or without digitalis) was detected. Both treatments were clinically well tolerated; however, the tendency of hypokalemia was more pronounced in the hydrochlorothiazide group. This could be hazardous in patients who receive a concomitant cardiac glycoside, especially when no clear-cut benefit of concomitant digitalis therapy is demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analgesic efficacy of 100 and 200 mg isoxepac was compared with that of 50 mg indomethacin in a double-blind, single-dose, between-patient (parallel) study with placebo control. Oral doses were administered to 120 patients whose postoperative plan justified administration of analgesics on the morning of the day following knee surgery for meniscectomy. No appreciable differences emerged between 100 mg isoxepac and placebo, though 50 mg indomethacin and 200 mg isoxepac gave better analgesia than either 100 mg isoxepac or placebo. Peak and duration of pain relief was of the same order with 50 mg indomethacin, and 200 mg isoxepac would appear to be the minimal effective dose in the clinical setting of postoperative pain following knee meniscectomy. The incidence of side effects on all three active treatments was remarkedly low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To compare the natriuretic and diuretic effects of a slow-release and a standard formulation of furosemide, 18 elderly patients with stable congestive heart failure were hospitalized and treated with one of these formulations in a double blind randomized trial. Patients received placebo on the first 2 days, furosemide on the third day and placebo again on the last 2 days of the study. In patients receiving the standard formulation mean urine output was increased only on the day of active treatment. However, in patients who had received the slow-release preparation, increased urine excretion was seen both on the day of active treatment and on the subsequent day. The total diuresis (0-48 h) in the 2 groups was equal, but a peak diuresis (0-6 h) was seen only in patients on the standard formulation of furosemide. Sodium excretion followed the pattern of urine excretion. Furosemide in a slow-release formulation offers advantages in maintenance therapy in congestive heart failure, especially in elderly patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]