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 .
A comparison of initial treatment with losartan/HCTZ versus losartan monotherapy in chinese patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension.
The antihypertensive efficacy and tolerability of losartan/hydrochlorothiazide ( HCTZ ) and losartan monotherapy as initial treatment were compared in a double-blind trial in Chinese patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension . Patients were r and omised to initial treatment with either losartan/HCTZ ( 50 mg/12.5 mg ) or losartan alone ( 50 mg ) . The doses were doubled after four weeks if diastolic blood pressure (SiDBP)was > 90 mmHg . Both losartan/HCTZ and losartan alone significantly reduced SiDBP and SiSBP from baseline at the first measurement at 4 weeks ( -10.1/-15.3 and -6.1/-6.9 mmHg , respectively ; p<0.001 ) and at 8 weeks ( -13.1/-18.5 and -8.7/-10.9 mmHg ; p<0.001 ) . The reductions with losartan/HCTZ were significantly greater than with losartan alone at weeks 4 and 8 ( p<0.001 ) . Both regimens were similarly well tolerated . In conclusion , initial therapy with losartan/HCTZ is effective and well tolerated in the treatment of Chinese patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension and produces a greater reduction in blood pressure than losartan alone
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 .