Losartan with hydrochlorothiazide for hypertension

Canadian Medical Association Journal 1996; 155: 307

Researchers in the United States conducted a 12-week multicentre trial to determine whether the treatment of essential hypertension with the angiotensin-II-receptor antagonist losartan combined with hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) therapy would have an additive effect. The 703 participants were randomly assigned to receive losartan alone (50 mg/d) or with a very low dose (6.25 mg/d) or a low dose (12.5 mg/d) of HCT, or a placebo. Significant reductions in sitting blood pressure were seen in all groups except the placebo group, and the greatest reductions were seen in the group receiving losartan with low-dose HCT. Comparison of peak and trough blood pressure indicated that combined losartan and HCT therapy had a sustained effect over 24 hours. There were no significant differences between the treatment groups in the incidence of adverse events.

Source: MacKay JH, Arcuri KE, Goldberg AI, Snapinn SM, Sweet CS. Losartan and low-dose hydrochlorothiazide in patients with essential hypertension. Arch Intern Med 1996; 156: 278-85.

| CMAJ August 1, 1996 (vol 155, no 3) |