title: Comparison of a fixed ratio combination of hydrochlorothiazide, amiloride and timolol ('Moducren') given once versus twice daily in mild to moderate hypertension.
abstract: An open, multi-centre study was carried out in general practice to compare the efficacy and tolerance of antihypertensive therapy with once-daily and twice-daily dosage of a fixed ratio combination of hydrochlorothiazide (25 mg), amiloride (2.5 mg) and timolol (10 mg). A total of 604 patients with mild to moderate hypertension were treated over a period of 12 weeks with either 1 to 2 tablets once-daily (294 patients) or 1/2 to 1 tablet twice-daily (310 patients). The results showed that there was a significant reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressures in both groups after only 2-weeks' therapy and the overall reduction after 12 weeks was 31/19 mmHg, with 57% of patients being adequately controlled on the equivalent of 1 tablet per day, whether taken once daily or in divided doses. Forty-six (8%) patients withdrew from the study because of drug-related symptoms, mainly central nervous system in origin. Overall, treatment with either regimen was considered suitable and acceptable by over 80% of patients and doctors.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000584:Amiloride / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004338:Drug Combinations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011719:Pyrazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D013999:Timolol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D011719:Pyrazines; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide; C034428:moducrin; D000584:Amiloride; D013999:Timolol