[A trichlormethiazide-amiloride combination in essential hypertension]

Following a placebo period of 2 weeks 39 patients with essential hypertension were given during 4 weeks a combination of 2 mg trichlormethiazide and 2 mg amiloride (Esmalorid). If the blood pressure was adequately reduced treatment was continued for a further 4 weeks; if not, a double dose was dispensed during the second 4-week period. Patients with a diastolic blood pressure under 90 mm Hg after 8 weeks when treated with a 1 mg dose, were subsequently treated with a 1 mg dose for a period of 3 months. After 8 weeks of treatment mean systolic blood pressure was reduced from 167 +/- 17 mm Hg to 151 +/- 19 mm Hg (sitting) and from 163 +/- 15 mm Hg to 148 +/- 18 mm Hg (standing), while mean diastolic blood pressure was decreased from 104 +/- 6 mm Hg to 93 +/- 8 mm Hg (sitting) and from 105 +/- 6 mm Hg to 94 +/- 8 mm Hg (standing). In 29 patients diastolic blood pressure had dropped to values under 95 mm Hg. Serum potassium remained constant during the treatment except for three patients with values outside the normal range (3.3, 3.4 and 5.2 mmol/l). The other serum electrolytes, glucose, creatinine, blood lipids, transaminases, hemogram, as well as body weight and heart rate remained unchanged. Two patients complained of side effects and did not complete the study. All other patients tolerated the treatment well.