[Comparative evaluation of the anti-hypertensive effect of moduretic and thiazides]

27 patients with essential hypertension received placebo for 2 weeks, then 1 Moduretic tablet (50 mg hydrochlorothiazide and 5 mg amiloride) daily for 4 weeks, followed by 2 Moduretic tablets daily for a further 10 weeks. The average systolic and diastolic reductions were 26.3/14.0 mm Hg standing and 27.8/19.7 mm Hg lying. 17 of the 27 patients were treated before the beginning of the study with 100 mg hydrochlorothiazide or an equivalent preparation. After 14 weeks' therapy with Moduretic the average systolic/diastolic fall in pressure in these 17 patients was 18.5/9.9 mm Hg standing and 21.6/14.3 mm Hg lying, which was lower than with a thiazide monotherapy. No cases of hyperkalemia or hypokalemia were observed. Moduretic lowers the blood pressure considerably more than thiazide alone and without any concomitant danger of hypokalemia.