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 .
Indapamide and atenolol in the treatment of hypertension: double-blind comparative and combination study.
Fifteen out- patients with moderate hypertension were r and omly and sequentially treated with atenolol , indapamide and a combination of the two drugs after a wash-out period of at least 1 week and a 2-week placebo run-in period . The duration of treatment was 4 weeks in each case . The dosage was 2.5 mg indapamide and 100 mg atenolol , in single tablets which were taken at 11.00 hours . All the treatment regimens produced a highly significant ( p less than 0.001 ) reduction in systolic and diastolic , supine and st and ing blood pressure ; these reductions were not significantly different for the single drugs but were significantly greater for the combined therapy . The number of patients reaching the end-point of a diastolic blood pressure of 95 mmHg or less was the same with either atenolol or indapamide , i.e. 7 ( 46.6 % ) , but was greater with the combined therapy , i.e. 10 ( 66.6 % ) . A significant ( p less than 0.001 ) reduction in pulse rate was observed with the treatments involving atenolol .  Acceptability of the treatments was very good ; the number of volunteered and elicited complaints during the different treatments being less compared to the placebo period , particularly for the combined treatment . No significant difference was observed in the blood biochemistry tests . The results are discussed in light of the mechanisms of action of the two drugs , which seem well integrated with each other , and the duration of the antihypertensive effect , which allows a single administration with consequent good treatment compliance
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 .