title: Sustained-release diltiazem compared with atenolol monotherapy for mild to moderate systemic hypertension.
abstract: The daily administration of 240 to 360 mg of diltiazem lowered blood pressure in a dose-related pattern similar to that seen in patients taking a daily dosage of 50 to 100 mg of atenolol. Sustained-release diltiazem was administered twice daily and atenolol once. Goal blood pressure was defined as less than 90 mm Hg or a reduction of greater than or equal to 10 mm Hg for patients with baseline pressures of 95 to 99 mm Hg in the supine position and was achieved in 60% of diltiazem-treated and 63% of atenolol-treated patients. The mean diltiazem dosage at the end of the study was 329 mg daily; for atenolol it was 80 mg daily. Adverse reactions considered possibly or probably drug related were reported by 26% of diltiazem patients and 38% of atenolol patients. Although both drugs were associated with a slower heart rate, atenolol patients showed a significantly greater negative chronotropic effect. Diltiazem, in a sustained-release form taken twice daily, is as effective as atenolol as a sole antihypertensive agent. It has a favorable side-effect profile and may be a useful alternative antihypertensive medication compared with existing beta-blocker therapy with atenolol.
authors.affiliation: University of Maryland Hospital, Baltimore 21201.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Weir
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Josselson
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Giard
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Warren
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Posner
authors.forename: Y W
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Zaske
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Saunders
mesh_terms: D001262:Atenolol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004110:Diltiazem / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011897:Random Allocation
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D001262:Atenolol; D004110:Diltiazem