ABSTRACT
A multicentre, double blind, randomised between-group study comparing the triglyceride lowering effect of MaxEPA, a natural marine oil, and a placebo control is described. Eighty-six patients with hypertriglyceridaemia (fasting serum triglyceride greater than or equal to 2 mmol/l) were studied for three months. There were no significant differences between the groups (48 active, 38 control) in respect of age, sex, height or weight, smoking habits or alcohol consumption. After one month triglyceride levels were reduced significantly from baseline in the treatment group and there was also a highly significant difference between the groups in favour of the marine oil. There was no significant change in serum total cholesterol in either group but there were fluctuations in high density lipoprotein (HDL) in both groups. Minor gastrointestinal side effects were reported by patients in both groups. Standard haematological and biochemical tests were done and there were no significant changes from baseline.
Subject(s)
Docosahexaenoic Acids , Eicosapentaenoic Acid , Fatty Acids, Unsaturated/pharmacology , Fish Oils/pharmacology , Hypertriglyceridemia/drug therapy , Triglycerides/blood , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Capsules , Cholesterol/blood , Double-Blind Method , Drug Combinations , Fatty Acids, Unsaturated/administration & dosage , Female , Fish Oils/administration & dosage , Humans , Hypertriglyceridemia/blood , Male , Middle Aged , Multicenter Studies as Topic , Random Allocation , Time FactorsABSTRACT
This randomised, double-blind, crossover study investigated the haemodynamic effects of a beta-blocker (atenolol 50mg) and a calcium antagonist (sustained release nifedipine 20mg) given either separately or in combination in 3 groups of patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension. Each treatment was administered twice daily. The fixed combination given twice daily for 4 weeks produced reductions in blood pressure which lasted for at least 12 hours after administration of the final dose. The control of blood pressure by the combination was superior to that achieved by its individual components. Side effects normally associated with nifedipine therapy were less frequent when it was administered with atenolol. Compliance with treatment was good, but it was best when the drugs were given together rather than separately. A fixed combination of atenolol and nifedipine may prove useful in treating hypertensive patients inadequately controlled on beta-blocker therapy alone.
Subject(s)
Atenolol/therapeutic use , Hypertension/drug therapy , Nifedipine/therapeutic use , Adult , Aged , Atenolol/administration & dosage , Atenolol/adverse effects , Blood Pressure/drug effects , Clinical Trials as Topic , Creatinine/blood , Double-Blind Method , Drug Therapy, Combination , Drug Tolerance , Female , Heart Rate/drug effects , Humans , Hypertension/physiopathology , Male , Middle Aged , Nifedipine/administration & dosage , Nifedipine/adverse effects , Potassium/blood , Random Allocation , Uric Acid/bloodABSTRACT
In this randomized, double-blind, cross-over study we investigated the haemodynamic effects of a beta-blocker (atenolol 50 mg) and a calcium antagonist (nifedipine SR 20 mg) given either separately or in combination in three groups of hypertensive patients. Each treatment was administered twice daily. The fixed combination given twice daily for four weeks produced reductions in blood pressure which lasted for at least 12 h after administration of the last dose. The control of blood pressure by the combination was superior to that achieved by its individual components. Adverse effects normally associated with nifedipine were less frequent when it was given with atenolol. Compliance with treatment was good, but best when the drugs were given together rather than separately. A fixed combination of atenolol and nifedipine may prove useful in treating hypertensive patients inadequately controlled on beta-blocker therapy alone.
