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Addition of chlorthalidone to slow-release nifedipine in the treatment of arterial hypertension: A controlled study versus placebo

  • Clinical Studies
  • Focus On Calcium Modulation
  • Published:
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Summary

The use of calcium antagonists and diuretics in combination for treatment of hypertension is controversial.

In a single-blind study 16 patients (8 men, 8 women, age range 39 to 62 years) with primary hypertension of mild to moderate degree were given slow-release nifedipine 20 mg twice daily for 6 weeks, thereafter either chlorthalidone 25 mg (Group A) or placebo (group B) daily was randomly added for a further 6-week period.

Blood pressure (BP), heart rate, plasma renin activity (PRA), aldosterone, and 24 hour urinary electrolytes were evaluated.

Nifedipine decreased supine BP from 159/92±16/8 to 151/89±10/6 mmHg in group A and from 162/94±20/12 to 145/85±14/6 mmHg in group B. A further fall to 139/84±7/6 mmHg (p<.05) was observed after addition of chlorthalidone.

PRA significantly increased with combined treatment compared to baseline (3.3±0.8 to 9.9±3.3 ng/ml/hr;p<0.05). A slight reduction of 24-hour urinary calcium was observed after the addition of chlorthalidone.

These data indicate that the combination of nifedipine and chlorthalidone might be beneficial in the treatment of arterial hypertension.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Internal Medicine and Metabolic Diseases—Second Medical School, University of Naples, Naples, Italy

    Liberato Aldo Ferrara MD, Teodoro Marotta, Fabrizio Pasanisi, Paolo Mastranzo & Mario Mancini

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  1. Liberato Aldo Ferrara MD
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  2. Teodoro Marotta
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  3. Fabrizio Pasanisi
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  4. Paolo Mastranzo
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  5. Mario Mancini
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Ferrara, L.A., Marotta, T., Pasanisi, F. et al. Addition of chlorthalidone to slow-release nifedipine in the treatment of arterial hypertension: A controlled study versus placebo. Cardiovasc Drug Ther 1, 657–660 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02125751

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02125751

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