The antihypertensive effect of indapamide.

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Pharmacology
• Nephrology

Background:

• Essential hypertension is a widespread condition requiring effective and safe long-term management.
• Diuretics are a cornerstone of antihypertensive therapy, but optimal agents and dosing require ongoing research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of low-dose indapamide in treating essential hypertension.
• To characterize the pharmacokinetic profile of indapamide's blood pressure-lowering effect over time.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 14 patients with moderately severe essential hypertension participated.
• Treatment involved indapamide 2.5 mg daily for 8 weeks.
• Blood pressure, serum potassium, and blood glucose levels were monitored regularly.

Main Results:

• Significant reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were observed starting from week 1.
• The antihypertensive effect followed a mathematical model described by decreasing power functions of time.
• No significant changes in serum potassium or blood glucose levels were detected during the study period.

Conclusions:

• Indapamide, at a low dose of 2.5 mg/day, acts as a potent antihypertensive and diuretic agent.
• The drug exhibits a favorable safety profile, with no significant impact on electrolytes or glucose metabolism.
• Low-dose indapamide is a viable option for first-line treatment of essential hypertension.