A First-Line Treatment Option for Elderly Hypertensive Patients: A Low-Dose Multimechanism Ã -Blocker/Diuretic.
The high incidence of hypertension among the elderly makes a once-daily multimechanism antihypertensive an advantageous agent for the control of hypertension. Because of its safety and efficacy in earlier studies, a low-dose multimechanism Ã -blocker/diuretic, bisoprolol fumarate 2.5, 5, or 10 mg combined with HCTZ 6.25 mg, was evaluated in multicenter studies, including a subgroup analysis of elderly patients at or above 60 years of age. Results indicate that all 3 dosage strengths of this once-daily agent are effective in reducing blood pressure in this population throughout a 24-hour period. Since low doses of both components are used to achieve efficacy, the incidence of side effects with all 3 dosage strengths is similar to that of placebo. In particular, this agent does not cause hypokalemia. Bisoprolol fumarate/HCTZ is an appropriate therapeutic option for elderly patients with hypertension because of its ability to effectively and safely control blood pressure in this difficult to treat population.
Burris
James F.
JF
Office of the Dean of Research and Graduate Education, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington DC.
Mroczek
William J.
WJ