THERAPY

For QOL, ciiazapriJ and atenolol win over nifedipine

In a multinational European study, 'patients treated with cilazapril had the same QOL [quality of life] as those who received atenolol, although the side effect profile of the two drugs differed'. Symptomatic complaints and therapy discontinuation were more common in nifedipine recipients [see figure].

Patients with mild to moderate hypertension received cilazapril 2.5-5 mg/day (n = 179), atenolol 50-100 mg/day (182) or nifedipine retard 20-40mg bid (179) for 6 months; if necessary patients also received hydrochlorothiazide 12.5-25 mg/day.

The QOL variable, complaint score, was significantly greater for nifedipine compared with atenolol recipients and was greater for nifedipine compared with cilazapril recipients (NS). There was no statistical difference between the scores of atenol01 and cilazapril recipients. In comparison. significantly greater improvement in fatigue score was noted in nifedipine compared with atenolol and cilazapril recipients. There were no between group differences for other QOL variables, such as work satisfaction, psychological well being and overall life satisfaction, which all tended to improve.

Decreases in BP were similar in all the groups, although significantly more cilazapril than nifedipine and atenol01 recipients required the addition of a diuretic to their drug regimen.

Adverse effect and discontinuation rates in patients receiving atenolol, cilazapril or

nifedipine retard

70

Alenolol C,lazaprd Niled'plne

Adverse eHecls

~ D,~conl,n"~llon

III D,SConllnuallOn due 10 adverse eHecls

Fletcher AE. Bulpitt CJ. Chase OM. Collins WCJ. Furberg CD. et aL Quality of life with three antihypel1ensive treatments: cilazapril. atenolol, nifedipine. Hypel1ension 19: 499-507, Pan I, Jun 1992 800140565

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INPHARMA® 4 Ju11992