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 .
Atenolol and bendrofluazide in hypertension.
The effect of atenolol , a new beta-1-adrenergic receptor blocking agent , was studied in a double-blind cross-over trial in 24 carefully selected hypertensive out patients . After a four-week run-in period on matching placebo each patient received atenolol 200 mg/day , atenolol 400 mg/day , a combination of atenolol 200/mg day with bendrofluazide 5 mg/day , and bendrofluazide 5 mg/day alone , according to a r and om sequence . Atenolol at either dose produced a significantly greater reduction in all blood pressure levels except st and ing systolic pressure than bendrofluazide alone . There was no statistically significant difference between the effects of the two atenolol doses on either blood pressure or pulse rate . The addition of bendrofluazide to atenolol result ed in a further significant lowering of the blood pressure . A significant effect of thiazide on weight was noted . The study shows that atenolol , a cardioselective beta-blocker of similar potency to propranolol in animals but without membrane-stabilizing or partial agonist acitivity , is an effective and well-tolerated hypotensive agent
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 .