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Valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide is effective in hypertensive patients inadequately controlled by valsartan monotherapy

Jean-Michel Mallion1, Renzo Carretta, Peter Trenkwalder

  • 1Department de Cardiologie et Hypertension Artérielle, CHU Grenoble, France.

Blood Pressure. Supplement
|June 13, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Adding hydrochlorothiazide to valsartan significantly improves blood pressure control in patients with essential hypertension. Fixed-dose combinations of valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide offer effective and well-tolerated treatment options.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Clinical Trials

Background:

  • Essential hypertension is a prevalent cardiovascular condition requiring effective management.
  • Valsartan monotherapy may not achieve adequate blood pressure control in all patients.
  • Combination therapy is often necessary for achieving target blood pressure goals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the efficacy and safety of fixed-dose valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) combinations versus valsartan monotherapy.
  • To evaluate treatment outcomes in patients with essential hypertension inadequately controlled by valsartan 160 mg.
  • To assess the effectiveness of valsartan 160 mg/HCTZ 12.5 mg and valsartan 160 mg/HCTZ 25 mg in mild-to-moderate hypertension.

Main Methods:

  • A double-blind, parallel-group, randomized trial involving 2002 patients.
  • Patients received 8 weeks of treatment with valsartan 160 mg, valsartan 160 mg/HCTZ 12.5 mg, or valsartan 160 mg/HCTZ 25 mg.
  • Blood pressure reduction and responder rates were primary efficacy endpoints.

Main Results:

  • All treatment groups showed significant blood pressure reductions (p < 0.001).
  • The valsartan 160 mg/HCTZ 25 mg group achieved the greatest reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
  • Responder rates were 49% (valsartan), 62% (valsartan/HCTZ 12.5), and 68% (valsartan/HCTZ 25), with 70% in elderly patients on valsartan/HCTZ 25.

Conclusions:

  • Fixed-dose combinations of valsartan plus HCTZ are effective and well-tolerated for patients not controlled on valsartan monotherapy.
  • Valsartan 160 mg/HCTZ 25 mg demonstrated superior efficacy in blood pressure reduction.
  • Combination therapy provides a valuable treatment option for managing essential hypertension.
Abstract

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