Chlorthalidone alone or in fixed combination with slow-release metoprolol in the management of arterial hypertension: a long-term study of 545 patients.
In a double-blind trial, 545 out-patients with essential hypertension received 25 mg/day chlorthalidone alone (274 patients) or in fixed combination with 200 mg/day slow-release metoprolol (271 patients) for 8 weeks. Both treatments significantly (P less than 0.001) decreased systolic and diastolic blood pressure; 45.6% of patients receiving chlorthalidone and 82.5% receiving combined therapy had a diastolic blood pressure of less than 95 mmHg. Patients not controlled by chlorthalidone or chlorthalidone plus metoprolol subsequently received chlorthalidone plus metoprolol (137 patients) or chlorthalidone plus metoprolol plus a third drug (34 patients), respectively, for 8 weeks. A total of 79.5% of patients receiving chlorthalidone plus metoprolol and 61.8% receiving chlorthalidone plus metoprolol plus a third drug had a diastolic blood pressure of less than 95 mmHg. Only 5.9% of patients experienced mild to moderate side-effects. Plasma potassium levels significantly (P less than 0.01) decreased during the first 8 weeks only. It is concluded that a diuretic alone or in fixed combination with a beta-blocker is effective in the long-term treatment of arterial hypertension.
Bichisao
E
E
Medical Department, Ciba-Geigy, Origgio, Varese, Italy.
Merlini
L
L
Gambini
O
O
Alberti
D
D
Pollavini
G
G
D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002752:Chlorthalidone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008790:Metoprolol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011897:Random Allocation
D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D008790:Metoprolol; D002752:Chlorthalidone