Multiclinic evaluation of timolol in the treatment of mild-to-moderate essential hypertension.

Abstract

In a double-blind (DB), multicenter, clinical trial 355 patients with mild-to-moderate essential hypertension, characterized by a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 95-115 mm Hg, received timolol (T) 10-30 mg twice-a-day or placebo (P). After 12 wk of treatment the mean supine BP for the T group was 145/94 mm Hg (baseline [BL] = 154/103 and for the P group, 155/102 (BL = 156/103). Of 129 patients 74 (57%) receiving T and 13% (15/114) of the patients receiving P had a reduction in supine DBP (SDBP) to 90 mm Hg or less or had a reduction > 10 mm Hg but not to 90 mm Hg. The reduction in SDBP for the T group was signifiantly greater than the reduction for the P group. After week 12 patients responding to T continued to receive T (T/T group) while patients receiving P who did not respond were treated with T (P/T group). Results obtained after 24 wk of timolol treatment for the T/T group and after 12 wk of timolol treatment for the P/T group were similar to those observed for the T group at 12 wk. During the 12 wk DB study the incidence of adverse experiences was not significantly different between the T and P groups. Safety evaluations, including complete ophthalmologic exams, have not revealed any toxic effects for T. Withdrawal of timolol for 2 wk after 24 wk of treatment for the T/T group and after 12 wk of treatment for the P/T group was not associated with any rebound phenomena.