title: Doxazosin GITS versus hydrochlorothiazide as add-on therapy in patients with uncontrolled hypertension.
abstract: The objective of this prospective, randomized, open-label, parallel-arm comparative study, with a 4-month follow-up, was to assess the antihypertensive efficacy, tolerability and metabolic safety of doxazosin GITS (gastrointestinal therapeutic system) 4-8 mg/day vs hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) 12.5-25 mg/day as add-on therapy in patients not controlled with monotherapy with other drugs. Ninety-eight patients completed the study (mean age 57.4 +/- 15 years, 53% female). Mean systolic/diastolic blood pressure reduction was 8.2/4.5 mmHg in the HCTZ group and 8.9/5.0 mmHg in the doxazosin GITS group, and a strict blood pressure control was achieved in 79% and 83% of the patients, respectively. The incidence rates of adverse events were low and similar in both groups. However, metabolic differences were seen between the groups, doxazosin GITS vs HCTZ, respectively: total cholesterol (mg/dl) 210 +/- 53 vs 231 +/- 62 (p < 0.05), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (mg/dl) 139 +/- 40 vs 161 +/- 57 (p < 0.01), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (mg/dl) 58 +/- 16 vs 48 +/- 13 (p < 0.01), HDL/total cholesterol ratio 27.6 +/- 8 vs 21.2 +/- 7 (p < 0.001), plasma uric acid (mg/dl) 5.3 +/- 2.6 vs 6.8 +/- 3.1 (p < 0.05) and serum potassium (mEq/l) 4.1 +/- 1.3 vs. 3.7 +/- 1.2 (p < 0.01). In conclusion, doxazosin GITS has a tolerability and efficacy profile similar to low doses of thiazide diuretics, with a better evolution of metabolic and electrolyte parameters. Therefore, in patients not controlled with monotherapy, doxazosin GITS can be considered an alternative to the addition of thiazide diuretics.
authors.affiliation: Hypertension Unit, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid ES-28041, Spain. carlos_campo@mi.madritel.es
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Campo
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Segura
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Roldán
authors.forename: José M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Alcázar
authors.forename: José L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Rodicio
authors.forename: Luis M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Ruilope
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000592:standards / Q000633:toxicity; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D017292:Doxazosin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000592:standards / Q000633:toxicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000592:standards / Q000633:toxicity; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide; D014527:Uric Acid; D002784:Cholesterol; D017292:Doxazosin; D011188:Potassium