Summary
The antihypertensive activity and side effects of three doses of hydrochlorothiazide combined with a potassium supplement (Esidrex®-K novum, Ciba) were determined in 40 hypertensive subjects in a double-blind, cross-over study. The lowest daily dose (12.5 mg) gave almost the same blood pressure reduction as the doses in common use (25 mg and 50 mg) and as the adrenergic beta-blocking agents previously employed. Metabolic side effects in the form of decreased serum potassium and increased fasting blood sugar and serum uric acid were observed in patients on the lower dose and, with the exception of serum uric acid, were only slightly more pronounced with the higher doses. The frequency of subjective side effects, on the other hand, increased with increasing dose. No changes were noted in total body potassium at any dose level. It is suggested that hydrochlorothiazide in low dose, alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents, is a useful therapeutic regimen in mild hypertension.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Wolff, F.W., Parmely, W.W., White, K., Okun, R.: Drug induced diabetes. Diabetogenic activity of long-term administration of benzothidiazines. J. Amer. med. Ass.185, 568–574 (1963)
Breckenridge, A., Welborn, T.A. Dollery, C.T., Fraser, R.: Glucose tolerance in hypertensive patients on long-term diuretic therapy. Lancet1967 I, 61–64
Edmonds, C.J., Jasani, B.: Total-body potassium in hypertensive patients during prolonged diuretic therapy. Lancet1972 II, 8–12
Healy, J.J., Mc Kenna, T.J., Canning, B.S., Brien, T.G., Duffy, G.J., Muldowney, F.P.: Body composition changes in hypertensive subjects on long-term oral diuretic therapy. Brit. med. J.1970 I, 716–719
Hall, A.P., Barry, P.E., Dawber, T., Mc Namara, P.M.: Epidemiology of gout and hyperuricemia. A long-term population study. Amer. J. Med.42, 27–37 (1967)
Degnbol, B., Dorph, S., Marner, T.: The effect of different diuretics on elevated blood pressure and serum potassium. Acta med. scand.193, 407–410 (1973)
Louis, W.J., Doyle, A.E., Dawborn, J.K., Johnston, C.I.: A comparison of chlorthiazide, chlorthalidone and cyclopenthiazide in the treatment of hypertension. Med. J. Aust.2, 23–25 (1973)
Bengtsson, C., Johnsson, G., Sannerstedt, R., Werkö, L.: Effect of different doses of chlorthalidone on blood pressure, serum potassium, and serum urate. Brit. med. J.1975 I, 197–199
Wilhelmsen, L., Berglund, G., Werkö, L.: Prevalence and management of hypertension in a general population sample of Swedish men. Prevent. Med.2, 57–66 (1973)
World Health Organization techn. Rep., Ser. Nr. 231, p. 16 (1962)
Sköldborn, H., Arvidsson, B., Andersson, M.: A new whole body monitoring laboratory. In: Proceedings of the Sixth International Nordic Meeting on Clinical Physics. Acta Radiol. Suppl.313, 233–241 (1972)
Praetorius, E.: An enzymatic method for the determination of uric acid by ultraviolet spectrophotometry. Scand. J. clin. Lab. Invest.,1, 222–230 (1949)
Schäffer, S.: Langzeitbehandlung der Hypertonie. Ärtzl. Prax.78, 4123–4126 (1970)
Thomson, A.E.: Chlorthalidone in the long-term therapy of patients with hypertension. Int. Z. Klin. Pharmakol. Ther. Toxikol.3, 21–25 (1970)
Lund-Johansen, P.: Hemodynamic changes in long-term diuretic therapy of essential hypertension. Acta med. scand.187, 509–518 (1970)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Berglund, G., Andersson, O. Low doses of hydrochlorothiazide in hypertension. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 10, 177–182 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00558326
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00558326