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 .
Assessment of a fixed-dosage combination of atenolol and chlorthalidone (Tenoretic) in hypertensive Nigerians.
The antihypertensive effect of a fixed dosage combination of the cardioselective beta-adrenoceptor blocker , atenolol , and the oral thiazide-like diuretic , chlorthalidone ( Tenoretic ) was studied in 24 hypertensive Nigerians in a double-blind , cross-over comparison with three other treatments . These were atenolol alone , 100 mg daily , chlorthalidone alone , 25 mg daily , and atenolol ( 100 mg ) plus chlorthalidone ( 25 mg ) daily taken as separate formulations . Tenoretic was taken as a once-daily tablet containing 100 mg atenolol plus 25 mg chlorthalidone . The order of administration of the drugs was r and omized . Each drug was taken for 4 weeks . The results showed that atenolol and chlorthalidone lowered blood pressure to the same extent . Combination of the two drugs whether taken separately or in fixed-dosage combination was better than either product singly . The drugs were well tolerated
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 .