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Nebivolol is a beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist with a dual mechanism of action. It shows high selectivity for beta(1)-adrenergic receptors and appears to have nitric oxide-mediated vasodilatory activity. Once-daily nebivolol effectively lowered BP in patients with mild to moderate hypertension in four randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 12-week trials. Trough sitting DBP and SBP were reduced to a significantly greater extent in nebivolol than in placebo recipients in trials in demographically heterogenous hypertensive patient groups, as well as in trials involving only Black patients and in patients continuing previous stable antihypertensive drug therapies. Treatment response (defined as a mean sitting DBP <90 mmHg or a >or=10 mmHg reduction from baseline) rates were significantly higher in nebivolol versus placebo recipients in trials enrolling patient groups considered representative of the US hypertensive population (46-65% vs 25%), in Black patients (57-64% vs 27%), and in patients concurrently treated with other antihypertensive drugs (53-65% vs 41%). Nebivolol was generally well tolerated in the treatment of hypertension, with the majority of adverse events described as being mild or moderate in severity. The incidences of fatigue, bradycardia, dyspnea, depression, and erectile dysfunction (events commonly associated with beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist use) did not significantly differ between nebivolol and placebo recipients in the 12-week trials.