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A double‐blind comparison of perindopril and hydrochlorothiazide‐amiloride in mild to moderate essential hypertension

Summary— The aim of this 3‐month double‐blind multicenter trial was to compare the antihypertensive efficacy and tolerability of the ACE inhibitor perindopril with those of a diuretic combination. After 1 month of receiving placebo, 165 patients with essential hypertension were randomised to perindopril 4 mg (n = 82) or to 50 mg hydrochlorothiazide + 5 mg amiloride (n = 83). The patients were treated for 3 months with monthly assessments, “uncontrolled” patients (DBP > 90 mm Hg) had their dosage doubled and then, if necessary, atenolol 50 mg was added. At the end of the 3‐month study, mean decreases in supine and standing systolic and diastolic blood pressures were similar in both groups. In the perindopril group, BP control was obtained in 56% of the patients with the 4 mg dosage and required an increase to 8 mg alone in 16% and with atenolol in 5%. The corresponding percentages in the diuretic group were 48, 23 and 13%. The overall percentage of “controlled” patients was similar in the 2 groups, respectively 78 and 84%. The nature and incidence of complaints were comparable in the 2 groups. Adverse laboratory changes were more frequent in the diuretic group: decrease in blood sodium (140.5 vs 139.1 mmol/1; P < 0.01), potassium (4.2 vs 3.9 mmol/1; P < 0.01) with 10 patients having significant hypokalemia, increase in blood urea, triglycerides and uric acid. By contrast, a transient increase in blood potassium with a decrease in triglycerides was observed in the perindopril group.