title: Thiazide diuretics in the management of hypertension.
abstract: Hypertension is highly prevalent in Canada, affecting more than 20% of all adults. Thiazide diuretics have been shown in numerous studies to be effective agents for controlling blood pressure and reducing cardiovascular disease and death in hypertensive patients. Thiazide diuretics are recommended as initial first line therapy for uncomplicated hypertension in the 2003 Canadian Hypertension recommendations. However, these agents are underutilized and in Canada, the proportion of persons with hypertension treated with diuretics is declining. To improve understanding of thiazide diuretic use, this document outlines the clinical pharmacology of thiazide diuretics, evidence for effectiveness in treating hypertension, as well as the side effects and controversies surrounding their use.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Internal Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
authors.forename: Nadia A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Norman R C
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Campbell
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019468:Disease Management; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors