18 THERAPY

Combination losartan potassium! hydrochlorothiazide effective

Fixed-dose combinations of losartan potassium! hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and captoprillHCTZ have similar efficacy as antihypertensives, reports an international group of researchers. However, they note that losartan potassiumIHCTZ has a better tolerability and metabolic profile compared with captoprillHCTZ.

Patients with mild-to-moderate essential hyper-tension received a fixed-dose combination of either losartan potassiumIHCTZ 50112.5mg once daily (n = 216) or captoprillHCTZ 50125mg once daily (109), for 12 weeks.

After 12 weeks' therapy both drug combinations produced similar decreases from baseline in BP [see table].

Similar effect regardless of age Patient stratification according to age demonstrated

that the effects of therapy with losartan potassiumIHCTZ and captoprillHCTZ were similar in patients aged < 65 years and those aged ~ 65 years.

After 12 weeks' therapy, serum creatinine levels were elevated from baseline in both treatment groups.

Significantly more captoprillHCTZ compared with losartan potassiumIHCTZ recipients experienced adverse effects related to treatment (18 vs 9% of patients, respectively). Headache was the most commonly reported adverse effect in both treatment groups. 12.8% of captoprillHCTZ recipients experienced cough compared with 0.9% of losartan potassiumIHCTZ recipients. Critchley JAJH, Gilchrist N,lkeda 1., Dubois C. Bradstreet DC. et aI. A randomized, double·masked comparison of the antihypertensive efficacy and safety of combination therapy willl losanan and hydrochlorolbiazide versus captopril and hydrochlorothiazide in elderly and younger patients. Current Tberapeutic Research - Oinical and Experimental 57: 392-407, May 1996 IIOO4C3'7U

Inphannae 13 Jul1996 No. 1045 0156.270319611045-000181$01.00° Adl. Intematlonal Limited 1996. All rights reserved