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Fixed combination of candesartan with hydrochlorothiazide in patients with severe primary hypertension

Gerd Bönner1, Winfried Fuchs

  • 1MEDIAN Kliniken, Herbert-Hellmann-Allee 38, 79189 Bad Krozingen, Germany. gerd.boenner@dgn.de

Current Medical Research and Opinion
|May 14, 2004
PubMed

Insights

This study shows that combining candesartan cilexetil and hydrochlorothiazide effectively treats severe hypertension. The combination therapy demonstrated significant blood pressure reduction with no reported adverse events.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • JNC VII guidelines (2003) permit initial combination therapy for hypertension if blood pressure exceeds 20/10 mmHg.
  • Severe primary hypertension requires effective and safe treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy and safety of candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide combination therapy.
  • To assess treatment outcomes in patients with severe primary hypertension.

Main Methods:

  • Open-label, single-group study involving 116 treatment-naive patients with severe primary hypertension (Grade III).
  • 6-week treatment with 16 mg candesartan cilexetil + 12.5 mg hydrochlorothiazide daily after forced titration.
  • Blood pressure measured in the morning after 15 minutes rest; median of three readings used.

Main Results:

  • Mean reduction in systolic/diastolic blood pressure was 38.1/29.4 mmHg.
  • 90.1% of patients were responders, with 39.6% achieving normotensive levels (< 140/< 90 mmHg).
  • No drug-related adverse events or significant laboratory parameter changes were observed.

Conclusions:

  • Combination therapy with candesartan cilexetil and hydrochlorothiazide shows promising efficacy and safety.
  • This treatment approach appears suitable for managing severe primary hypertension.
Abstract

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