A fixed combination of metoprolol and hydrochlorothiazide for hypertension: a multi-centre study

A multi-centre, open study was carried out in 140 hypertensive patients to investigate the hypotensive effect of 2 tablets of a fixed combination of 100 mg metoprolol plus 12.5 mg hydrochlorothiazide when taken either once-daily or twice-daily, each for 4 weeks. Blood pressure and pulse rate measurements were taken at rest, during and after exercise, on entry and at the end of each treatment period. The mean resting blood pressures were 168/108 mmHg, 151/98 mmHg and 150/96 mmHg at pre-trial, after the twice-daily dosage period and after the once-daily dosage period, respectively. The corresponding figures for exercise blood pressure were 191/115 mmHg, 176/105 mmHg, and 174/102 mmHg. Few side-effects were reported. It is concluded that once-daily dosing with this combination product is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for mild to moderate hypertension throughout the full 24-hour period.