title: Clinical efficacy and cost comparison of an amiloride-hydrochlorothiazide combination versus hydrochlorothiazide and wax-matrix potassium supplement in the treatment of essential hypertension.
abstract: To compare the clinical efficacy and cost of therapy with an amiloride-hydrochlorothiazide combination versus hydrochlorothiazide and a wax-matrix potassium supplement, we reviewed the medical records of 20 hypertensive men who had received both treatments. The review period included 5.9 +/- 0.9 (mean +/- SE) months on hydrochlorothiazide and wax-matrix potassium and 5.3 +/- 0.7 months after changeover to the amiloride-hydrochlorothiazide combination. Control of blood pressure, maintenance of serum potassium levels, and number of outpatient visits were similar before and after the change in therapy. The monthly cost of medication, based on the lowest listed price in the Drug Topics Red Book and also in the Red Book Update, was approximately 12% higher for the hydrochlorothiazide and wax-matrix potassium regimen than for the amiloride-hydrochlorothiazide combination, whereas the federal agency contract price for the latter was significantly higher. The change to the amiloride-hydrochlorothiazide combination reduced the mean number of tablets taken daily from 5.3 +/- 0.6 to 1.25 +/- 0.1, suggesting a more convenient therapeutic regimen.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000584:Amiloride / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D003363:Cost Control; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide; D000584:Amiloride; D011188:Potassium