Drug's effectiveness questioned

Link : http://uk.news.yahoo.com/041105/344/f60op.html

New research has cast doubt on the effectiveness of one of the most commonly prescribed blood pressure-lowering drugs.

A pooled data study found that while atenolol reduced blood pressure, it was no better than inactive "dummy" drugs at preventing heart attacks or death.

Compared with other antihypertensive drugs, it was associated with significantly higher rates of mortality.

Yet it is currently the standard "reference" drug used in blood pressure studies.

Atenolol, a type of drug known as a beta blocker, is manufactured under various brand names by a number of pharmaceutical companies.

It is prescribed to many thousands of patients in the UK to reduce heart rate and lower blood pressure.

The purpose of controlling blood pressure is to lessen the risk of dangerous outcomes, such as a heart attack or stroke.

But a slightly-reduced risk of stroke was the only favourable outcome identified by the new research.

The scientists, led by Dr Bo Carlberg from Umea University Hospital in Sweden, wrote in The Lancet medical journal: "Our results cast doubts on atenolol as a suitable drug for hypertensive patients.

"Moreover, they challenge the use of atenolol as a reference drug in outcome trials in hypertension."