Methyldopa in the elderly hypertensive.
The on-going study by the European Working Party on High Blood Pressure in the Elderly (EWPHE) is described and the results in patients receiving either placebo or active treatment (hydrochlorothiazide plus triamterene, with the addition of methyldopa if necessary) are discussed. Over the 5-year period assessed, there has been a reduction in sitting blood pressure in both groups, but to a significantly greater extent in those receiving active treatment. No statistically significant differences in morbidity and mortality between the groups has been noted and there have been very few reports of side-effects or intolerance.
D000368:Aged; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008750:Methyldopa / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D014223:Triamterene / Q000627:therapeutic use
D010919:Placebos; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide; D008750:Methyldopa; D014223:Triamterene