Short-term safety and tolerability of antihypertensive agents in Korean patients: an observational study.
OBJECTIVE
In order to assess the short-term safety and tolerability of newly prescribed antihypertensive monotherapies in Korean patients, a prospective study was carried out.


METHODS
A total of 1181 patients were observed from July 1997 to August 1999. At 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after initiation of antihypertensive monotherapy, the patients were evaluated for whether treatment was to be continued and the development of any adverse reactions.


RESULTS
During the first 12 weeks, the percentage of subjects continuing with their initial angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) (40.7%) was substantially lower than that of subjects continuing with angiotensin II receptor antagonists (ARA) (66.2%), alpha-blockers (63.0%), calcium channel blockers (CCB) (61.3%), beta-blockers (55.8%), and diuretics (53.5%), respectively (P < 0.01). The following adverse reactions were detected: cough (7.5%), headache (6.1%), dizziness (3.9%), flushing (3.7%) and impotence (2.4%). Cough, headache, and flushing were more frequent in women, and impotence and loss of libido were more frequent in men (P < 0.05). The incidence of cough associated with ACEI (27.9%) was higher than that associated with the other classes of drugs (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The tolerability of antihypertensive medication was highest in Korean patients treated with ARAs, followed by CCBs, beta-blockers, diuretics, alpha-blockers, and ACEIs. The incidences of adverse reactions were different by sex, age and drug class.
Kim
Y S
YS
youngkim@www.amc.seoul.kr
Park
H S
HS
Sunwoo
S
S
Byeon
J J
JJ
Song
Y M
YM
Seo
H G
HG
Kim
C H
CH
Cheon
K S
KS
Yoo
S M
SM
Lee
J K
JK
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000009:adverse effects; D004232:Diuretics / Q000009:adverse effects; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D004232:Diuretics