Comparison of felodipine and hydrochlorothiazide for the treatment of mild to moderate hypertension in black Africans.
A double-blind, parallel-group study was performed to assess the antihypertensive effects and tolerability of felodipine and hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) in black patients with mild to moderate uncomplicated hypertension [entry supine diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 96-116 mm Hg]. The medicines were given as monotherapy and the additional effect of metoprolol was assessed in patients unresponsive to felodipine or HCT alone. After a 4-week placebo period, 45 patients were randomly allocated to treatment with felodipine (21) or HCT (24). Initial doses of felodipine 2.5 mg or HCT 12.5 mg twice daily were doubled after 1 week and doubled again after week 4 in cases with supine DBP above 90 mm Hg. At week 8, metoprolol 100 mg twice daily was added to the regimen of uncontrolled patients (supine DBP greater than 90 mm Hg) and maintained for the remaining 4-week trial period. Felodipine significantly reduced supine and erect systolic BP (SBP) and DBP after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of treatment. Responses to HCT were similar although standing diastolic BP at week 4 and standing SBP at week 8 were not significantly reduced. After 4 weeks, the mean fall in supine DBP was significantly greater for the felodipine than the HCT group. Eight patients on felodipine and 14 in the HCT group required additional metoprolol to achieve BP control. A significantly greater number of adverse effects were associated with HCT than felodipine treatment. Monotherapy with felodipine produced a more rapid control of hypertension, was more frequently effective, and was associated with a lower incidence of side effects than HCT.
Department of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology, University of Natal Medical School, South Africa.
W P
WP
Leary
B
B
Maharaj
D000328:Adult; D000349:Africa; D044383:Black People; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015736:Felodipine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide; D015736:Felodipine