title: Efficacy and safety of a new long-acting drug combination, trandolapril/verapamil as compared to monotherapy in primary hypertension. Swedish TARKA trialists.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of a new antihypertensive drug combination of trandolapril/verapamil compared to monotherapy with verapamil or trandolapril, in patients with mild to moderate primary hypertension.
  
  
  METHODS
  A multicentre, prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled cross-over study with specific statistical considerations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen primary health care centres and out-patient hospital clinics in Sweden.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred and twenty-six outpatients with uncomplicated primary hypertension with a baseline sitting diastolic blood pressure (BP) between 95 and 115 mmHg.
  
  
  METHODS
  After a 4-week placebo period, patients were randomized to treatment for 8 weeks with trandolapril/verapamil (2 mg/180 mg) or each drug alone (verapamil 240 mg, trandolapril 2 mg) for 8 weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Treatment responses (blood pressure (BP) fall and rate pressure product) to the three regimens with statistical comparison and also in relation to plasma concentrations of active renin (AR). Adverse events and safety were also evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean BP fall was significantly greater with the combination (20/15 mmHg), p < 0.00054, as compared to both trandolapril (14/11 mmHg) or verapamil (13/11) mmHg. The difference between verapamil and trandolapril was not significant. Rate pressure product decreased significantly more on the combination, p < 0.001, than on trandolapril or verapamil alone. Treatment response to trandolapril was positively correlated to initial AR (r = 0.30-0.43). All treatments were well tolerated and safe.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The new fixed drug combination trandolapril/verapamil was superior to monotherapy with either of these drugs alone regarding reduction of both BP and rate pressure product. This combination can be safely and effectively used for the treatment of mild to moderate primary hypertension.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Care, Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden. bengt.e.karlberg@telia.com.se
authors.forename: B E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Karlberg
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Andrup
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Odén
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007211:Indoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014700:Verapamil / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004338:Drug Combinations; D007211:Indoles; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; C052035:trandolapril; D014700:Verapamil; D012083:Renin