Effects of amiloride on arterial pressure and renal function

Amiloride was administered to 13 male patients with mild essential hypertension and normal renal function. It effectively reduced supine and standing arterial pressures. The antihypertensive response was associated with a significant decrease in renal inulin clearance and a rise in plasma creatinine concentration, although both values at the end of seven weeks of therapy remained within normal limits. Serum potassium concentrations rose but did not reach hyperkalemic levels. Amiloride did not increase blood levels of glucose, uric acid, lipids, calcium, or urea nitrogen. We conclude that amiloride is an effective antihypertensive and antikaliuretic agents for patients with mild hypertension and normal renal function.