Atenolol is more Effective Than Hydrochlorothiazide + Amiloride In patients with mild to moderate hypertension

In a double-blind crossover study, 128 patients with mild to moderate hypertension (diastolic BP 95-120mm Hg) randomly received atenolol 100 mgfday, hydrochlorothiazide 50 mgfamiloride Smg daily and placebo for 4 weeks each.

Supine, standing and exercise BP and HR were significantly lower after atenolol therapy than after placebo, but not after hydrochlorothiazide/amiloride. 82 patients achieved BP ~ 150/90mm Hg during atenolol treatment vs 40 patients during hydrochlorothiazide/amiloride and 20 during placebo. Patients who responded to hydrochlorothiazidefamiloride or placebo had a significantly lower pretreatment BP than the whole group. Adverse effects occurred in 10 patients on atenolol vs 28 on hydrochlorothiazide/ amiloride and 12 on placebo.

Thus • ... In a white population with mild to moderate hypertension, atenolol ... offers a somewhat better

chance, In the majority of patients, of effectively regulating blood pressure than does a thiazide combination

diuretic'. Lischner M. Lang R. Jutrin 1. Ravid M. Drug Intelligence and Clinical Pharmacy 21 43-46, Jan 1987

0156-2703!87 /0221-0009/0$01.00/0 © ADIS Press INPHARMA• 21 Feb 1987 9