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 .
Multiclinic evaluation of the antihypertensive effect of a methyldopa, hydrochlorothiazine, and amiloride combination.
A multiclinic , double-blind , r and omized study in 361 patients with essential hypertension compared Aldoretic , ( Merck & Co. , Inc. , New Jersey ) , a combination of methyldopa , hydrochlorothiazide , and amiloride with the combination of hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride and with methyldopa alone . At the end of week 12 , the proportion of patients who were classified as normotensive ( diastolic less than or equal to 90 mm Hg ) was 61 % in the group treated with Aldoretic , which was statistically significantly greater than the 48 % in the hydrochlorothiazide/amiloride group and the 35 % in the methyldopa group
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 .