title: Antihypertensive drugs in combination: Effects of methyldopa on thiazide-induced changes in renal hemodynamics and plasma renin activity.
abstract: The rise in plasma renin activity (PRA) that accompanies thiazide diuretic therapy of hypertension may interfere with therapeutic effectiveness and contribute to hypokalemia. In an attempt to provide a basis for the previously empiric use of antihypertensive drugs, 20 hypertensive subjects were given a diuretic alone for three weeks and a diuretic plus methylodopa, which lowers PRA, for three weeks. The thiazide-induced rise in PRA was blunted by the methyldopa, while bl-od pressure fell even more and renal function was well maintained. The combination of a renin-lowering drug and a diuretic is rational and effective therapy for hypertension.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002740:Chlorothiazide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects*; D008750:Methyldopa / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide; D008750:Methyldopa; D002740:Chlorothiazide; D012083:Renin