title: Comparison of the angiotensin II receptor antagonist irbesartan with atenolol for treatment of hypertension.
abstract: In this multicenter, double-blind study, the antihypertensive efficacy and safety of irbesartan were compared with those of atenolol in patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension. Following a 4- to 5-week placebo lead-in period, 231 patients with seated diastolic blood pressure (SeDBP) 95-110 mmHg were randomized to irbesartan 75 mg or atenolol 50 mg once daily for 24 weeks. Doses were doubled at Week 6 for SeDBP > or = 90 mmHg. At Week 12, or anytime thereafter, doses were doubled for SeDBP > or = 90 mmHg if not done at Week 6, and hydrochlorothiazide and then nifedipine were added. Efficacy was determined by change from baseline in blood pressure and by therapeutic response rates. Safety was assessed by monitoring adverse events (AEs). Both treatments significantly lowered blood pressure from baseline. There were no significant differences between treatment groups with respect to blood pressure changes or therapeutic response. Atenolol significantly reduced seated heart rate compared with irbesartan at Week 12. The incidences of serious AEs and discontinuations due to AEs were approximately twice as high in the atenolol group compared with the irbesartan group. Thus, in comparison to atenolol, irbesartan < or = 150 mg provided at least equivalent blood pressure control while demonstrating an excellent safety and tolerability profile.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Universitatspoliklinik Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: K O
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Stumpe
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Haworth
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hoglund
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kerwin
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Masson
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kassler-Taub
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Osbakken
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001262:Atenolol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000077405:Irbesartan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D013777:Tetrazoles; D001262:Atenolol; D000077405:Irbesartan