The effect was similar to that obtained when thiazides are used as a single agent .
Thiazides when given as a second-line drug have a dose related effect to lower blood pressure that is similar to when they are added as a first-line drug .
This means that the BP lowering effect of thiazides is additive .
Loop diuretics appear to have a similar blood pressure lowering effect as thiazides at 1 times the recommended starting dose .
Because of the short duration of the trials and lack of reporting of adverse events , this review does not provide a good estimate of the incidence of adverse effects of diuretics given as a second-line drug
BACKGROUND Diuretics are widely prescribed for hypertension not only as a first-line drug but also as a second-line drug .
Therefore , it is essential to determine the effects of diuretics on blood pressure ( BP ) , heart rate and withdrawals due to adverse effects ( WDAEs ) when given as a second-line drug .
Nifedipine and acebutolol in combination for the treatment of moderate to severe essential hypertension.
In a r and omised , crossover study of patients with moderate to severe essential hypertension , the effects of the calcium entry antagonist nifedipine and the beta-receptor blocking drug acebutolol were studied on their own , and in combination . After 4 weeks of nifedipine tablets 20 mg twice daily ( Adalat , Bayer ) , mean supine blood pressure ( BP ) fell by 20 mmHg and after 4 weeks of acebutolol 200 mg twice a day ( Sectral , May & Baker ) by 11 mmHg . When nifedipine and acebutolol were given in combination in the above doses for 4 weeks , there was a significantly greater fall in BP than with either agent alone , supine mean arterial pressure falling by 27 mmHg . The above BPs were measured 2 h after the last dose of tablets . Measurements 12 h after the last dose showed smaller falls in BP , with a significantly greater fall with combination treatment than with acebutolol alone . The fall in BP 12 h after the last dose of the combination was greater than with nifedipine alone but this difference was not statistically significant . This r and omised , controlled study showed that nifedipine and acebutolol have a marked additive effect on BP which is sustained for at least 12 h after treatment
The effect was similar to that obtained when thiazides are used as a single agent .
Thiazides when given as a second-line drug have a dose related effect to lower blood pressure that is similar to when they are added as a first-line drug .
This means that the BP lowering effect of thiazides is additive .
Loop diuretics appear to have a similar blood pressure lowering effect as thiazides at 1 times the recommended starting dose .
Because of the short duration of the trials and lack of reporting of adverse events , this review does not provide a good estimate of the incidence of adverse effects of diuretics given as a second-line drug
BACKGROUND Diuretics are widely prescribed for hypertension not only as a first-line drug but also as a second-line drug .
Therefore , it is essential to determine the effects of diuretics on blood pressure ( BP ) , heart rate and withdrawals due to adverse effects ( WDAEs ) when given as a second-line drug .