Diuretics for elderly patients.
Diuretics compare well with the large number of other classes of antihypertensive agents now available as first-line treatment in the elderly. Other drugs might be considered for first-line treatment in elderly patients with diabetes, untreated gout, or renal failure, a previous myocardial infarction or multiple ventricular ectopics and for men concerned about potency. A thiazide with a potassium-sparing agent may be preferred in the elderly population. The most telling feature in favor of diuretics is that they comprise the only group of drugs for which a beneficial effect in reducing cardiovascular disease in the elderly has been demonstrated in clinical trials. Although compliance may decline somewhat with age, compliance rates of 80% or more can be expected, even among very elderly patients.
Radcliffe Infirmary, University of Oxford, UK.
J G
JG
Evans
D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001581:Benzothiadiazines; D004232:Diuretics; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D001581:Benzothiadiazines; D004232:Diuretics; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors