Antihypertensive effects of acebutolol plus hydrochlorothiazide and hydrochlorothiazide alone in black patients

Fifty black (Zulu) men, aged 20-60 years, with mild-to-moderate essential hypertension participated in a double-blind randomized parallel-group study lasting 12 weeks. Study drugs were acebutolol 200 mg plus hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg (Secadrex; Maybaker) (SDX) or hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg (HCT) given as a single tablet once daily under supervision. Following a 4-week washout period and after protocol exclusions and withdrawals, a total of 37 patients took the active preparations for 6 weeks, 33 for 7 weeks and 32 for 8 weeks. Of 17 patients treated with SDX, 16 responded satisfactorily; 20 patients were treated with HCT and 18 responded satisfactorily. No important biochemical or haematological changes occurred and no serious adverse reactions were noted. Mild-to-moderate essential hypertension was effectively controlled in a significant proportion of both treatment groups.