A randomized crossover comparison of acebutolol and methyldopa in the treatment of mild to moderate essential hypertension

Summary In a randomized crossover comparison between acebutolol and methyldopa for the treatment of mild to moderate essential hypertension in 30 patients, acebutolol, a cardioselective beta-one-adrenergic blocker, at 400 to 800 mg daily was found to be significantly better (p < 0.002) than 500 to 1000 mg methyldopa daily in reducing both systolic and diastolic blood pressures and pulse rate. Patient compliance with therapy was excellent, and there were no side-effects on acebutolol, whereas patients on methyldopa reported a significant number of side-effects (p