Valsartan and atenolol in patients with severe essential hypertension.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of valsartan, a new angiotensin II receptor antagonist, versus atenolol in the treatment of severe primary hypertension. A total of 103 adult out-patients were randomised to receive either valsartan 160 mg or atenolol 100 mg once daily for 6 weeks. If necessary, additional blood pressure (BP) control could be provided as add-on therapy. Both valsartan and atenolol decreased mean sitting diastolic BP (DBP) and mean sitting systolic BP (SBP): least squares mean change from baseline in DBP; valsartan, -20.0 mm Hg; atenolol, -20.4 mm Hg: in SBP; valsartan, -30.0 mm Hg; atenolol, -25.5 mm Hg. There was no statistically significant difference between the treatment groups. Add-on hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) 25 mg was required by 97.2% of patients receiving atenolol and 83.6% of patients receiving valsartan; additional verapamil SR 240 mg was also required by 58.3% of patients receiving atenolol and 64.2% receiving valsartan. Valsartan was well tolerated, with a comparable incidence of treatment-related adverse experiences in both groups. In conclusion valsartan 160 mg is as well tolerated and effective as atenolol 100 mg in lowering BP in severely hypertensive patients.
Cifkova
R
R
Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic.
Peleska
J
J
Hradec
J
J
Rosolová
H
H
Pintérová
E
E
Zeman
K
K
Oddou-Stock
P
P
Thirlwell
J
J
Botteri
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001262:Atenolol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D014633:Valine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D000068756:Valsartan
D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D013777:Tetrazoles; D001262:Atenolol; D000068756:Valsartan; D014633:Valine