ABSTRACT
An open study was carried out in general practice to assess the efficacy and tolerance of a fixed ratio combination of hydrochlorothiazide (25 mg), amiloride (2.5 mg) and timolol (10 mg) in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate hypertension, and to determine if there were any differences in response when medication was taken before or after food. A total of 663 patients was studied and received 1 to 2 tablets once daily for a period of 12 weeks; 322 patients took their medication before and 341 after food. The results showed that there were similar significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and in heart rate in both groups, over half of the patients being controlled (less than 90 mmHg diastolic) after 2 weeks and 80% by the end of the study period. Relatively few adverse effects were reported and the incidence during treatment was less than that recorded on entry to the study. There was no evidence to suggest that the timing of drug intake in relation to food had any effect on the efficacy or tolerance of the combination.
Subject(s)
Amiloride/administration & dosage , Hydrochlorothiazide/administration & dosage , Hypertension/drug therapy , Pyrazines/administration & dosage , Timolol/administration & dosage , Adult , Aged , Amiloride/adverse effects , Drug Combinations/administration & dosage , Drug Combinations/adverse effects , Female , Food , Humans , Hydrochlorothiazide/adverse effects , Male , Middle Aged , Timolol/adverse effectsABSTRACT
An open study was carried out in general practice to assess the efficacy and tolerance of a timolol (10 mg)/hydrochlorothiazide (25 mg)/amiloride (2.5 mg) preparation in 558 hypertensive patients previously receiving multi-dose antihypertensive therapy, and to determine whether the results were influenced by the manner in which the doctor conducted this change in therapy. Patients received 1 or, if necessary, 2 tablets once daily over a period of 12 weeks and were randomly allocated on entry to one of two groups. One group was given a full explanation for the change in therapy, the other group was simply told that treatment was to be changed. The results showed that the change in treatment led to a significant reduction in blood pressure in both groups, at a dosage of 1 tablet daily in over half the patients, and the majority (88%) preferred the new form of treatment. Patient acceptance was good and the number of reports of adverse symptoms decreased during the study period. There was no significant difference in any of the results between the two groups.
Subject(s)
Amiloride/therapeutic use , Hydrochlorothiazide/therapeutic use , Hypertension/drug therapy , Propanolamines/therapeutic use , Pyrazines/therapeutic use , Timolol/therapeutic use , Adult , Aged , Amiloride/adverse effects , Blood Pressure/drug effects , Drug Combinations/adverse effects , Drug Combinations/therapeutic use , Family Practice , Female , Humans , Hydrochlorothiazide/adverse effects , Male , Middle Aged , Patient Compliance , Timolol/adverse effectsABSTRACT
An open study was carried out in 641 patients with mild to moderate hypertension seen in general practice to assess the effectiveness of treatment with a timolol/hydrochlorothiazide/amiloride preparation compared with cyclopenthiazide/potassium. The timolol/hydrochlorothiazide/amiloride preparation produced better control of blood pressure in a larger percentage of patients after 2 and 6 weeks of treatment than did the diuretic/potassium preparation, and more patients were maintained on 1 tablet per day. Both treatments reduced the number of symptoms complained of by the patients at the initial visit.
