A patient compliance comparative study of three diuretics in the treatment of oedema

Diurexan (xipamide) 40 mg daily was substituted for Navidrex-K (cyclopenthiazide 0.25 mg plus potassium 600 mg) or Moduretic (amiloride hydrochloride 5 mg plus hydrochlorthiazide 50 mg) in nineteen patients with oedema of cardiac origin. Comparative efficacy and patient acceptability were examined over a 4-week treatment period. In six patients their oedema was resolved and in a further seven their oedema was markedly reduced (six patients had no overt oedema pre-trial). The body-weight of nine patients decreased by an average of 1.4 kg whilst in seven patients it remained static and in three patients it increased by an average of 1.8 kg. Thirteen of the patients preferred Diurexan at the end of the 4-week trial period, four patients had no preference and two patients preferred their previous treatment.