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 .
Effects of once daily indapamide and pindolol on blood pressure, plasma aldosterone concentration and plasma renin activity in a general practice setting
Summary Sixteen patients with essential hypertension completed a double blind factorial trial comparing the effects of indapamide ( 2.5 mg daily ) and pindolol ( 10 mg daily ) on blood pressure , heart rate , plasma renin activity and plasma aldosterone concentration . There were four r and omised test phases of eight weeks each during which patients received indapamide alone , pindolol alone , indapamide plus pindolol and no active treatment ( placebo ) .  Blood pressure and heart rate were measured every two weeks . Supine mean arterial pressure fell from 117 mm Hg in the placebo phase to 111 mm Hg in the indapamide phase , 106 mm Hg in the pindolol phase and 103 mm Hg in the combined indapamide plus pindolol phase . Factorial analysis confirmed that the hypotensive effects of the two drugs were additive , without evidence of potentiation or antagonism . Indapamide caused significant reductions in plasma potassium and chloride , and increases in plasma bicarbonate and urate concentrations ; it also caused increases in plasma renin activity and aldosterone concentration . These changes are similar to those observed with thiazide diuretics
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 .