title: Efficacy and safety of initial combination therapy with amlodipine/valsartan compared with amlodipine monotherapy in black patients with stage 2 hypertension: the EX-STAND study.
abstract: The strategy of initiating hypertension treatment with combination versus single-drug therapy was formally tested in a prospective, double-blind, parallel-group trial in blacks with stage 2 hypertension (mean sitting systolic BP (MSSBP) >or=160 and <200 mm Hg). Participants were randomized equally to amlodipine/valsartan (A/V) (n=286) or amlodipine (A) monotherapy (n=286). After 2 weeks, there was forced titration of A/V 5/160 mg to A/V 10/160 mg and of A 5 to A 10 mg followed by 10 additional weeks of treatment. If SBP was >or=130 mm Hg at week 4, the protocol allowed optional titration of A/V to the 10/320 mg dose and, at week 8, hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg was optionally added to both A/V and A if SBP >or=130 mm Hg. Amlodipine/valsartan at week 8 lowered MSSBP last observation carried forward significantly>A (33.3 vs 26.6 mm Hg, P<0.0001). Lowering of MSSBP with A/V significantly exceeded that of A in several specified subgroups-the elderly (>or=65 years), isolated systolic hypertension, and those with body mass index (BMI) >or=30 kg/m(2). More patients treated with A/V than A achieved BP control (<140/90 mm Hg) both at weeks 8 (49.8 vs 30.2%; P<0.0001) and 12 (57.2 vs 35.9%; P<0.0001). Both treatment regimens were well tolerated. In conclusion, the strategy of initiating combination antihypertensive drug therapy in blacks with stage 2 hypertension with amlodipine /valsartan achieves greater and quicker reductions in BP as well as significantly higher BP control rates than starting treatment with amlodipine monotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA. jflack@med.wayne.edu
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Flack
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Calhoun
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Satlin
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barbier
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hilkert
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brunel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017311:Amlodipine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068838:Amlodipine, Valsartan Drug Combination; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D044383:Black People; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000068838:Amlodipine, Valsartan Drug Combination; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D013777:Tetrazoles; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide; D017311:Amlodipine