Nicardipine or diuretics for antihypertensive therapy?

'Nicardipine should be considered as an alternative first-line treatment for hypertensives rather than the frequently prescribed diuretics.'

Nicardipine 30mg tid (n = 14) was compared with amiloride + hydrochlorothiazide ('Moduretic'; 22) in hypertensive general practice patients in a double-blind 8-week trial followed by a 10-month open trial (10 and 17 patients, respectively). BP was significantly reduced from baseline by both treatments, with no significant differences observed between regimens during the blind and open trial periods. Adverse effects resulting in therapy withdrawal were more frequent with amiloride + hydrochlorothiazide in the long term study and elevated serum cholesterol, uric acid and urea were observed after long term diuretics Gostlck NK, Mayhew SR, Mukefji D. Bradley I, Ganvir P, et al A randomlsed comparative tnal of nlcardlpme versus amilonde and hydrochlorothiazide m mild 10 moderate hypertension A report Irom the General Practitioner Hypertension Study Group Journal of Human Hypertension 3 141·144. Apr 1989 '39

0156-2703/89/0715-0013/0$01.00/0 © ADIS Press INPHARMA® 15 Jul 1989 13