[Hypotensive effectiveness and metabolic effects of indapamide in patients with primary arterial hypertension]

Indapamide--a non-thiazide diuretic agent--was given to 28 patients with mild and moderate hypertension in a daily dose of 2.5 mg for 12 weeks. Statistically significant decrease in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure and complete normalization of the arterial blood pressure were achieved in 82% of the treated patients. Adverse reactions were mild and transient. However, low but statistically significant decrease in blood serum potassium and changes in the carbohydrate metabolism were seen. No significant effect of the-drug on lipid metabolism was found except the low but statistically significant increase in total cholesterol. Indapamide is an efficient and well tolerated hypotensive agent. However, biochemical indices should be checked up during the treatment due to the potential adverse reactions.