Position of fixed‐dose combinations containing an AT1‐receptor blocker and a thiazide diuretic

Losartan/hydrochlorothiazide combination is safe and effective for morning hypertension in Very-Elderly patients

Morning hypertension is an independent risk for cerebrovascular and cardiovascular events. Although the prevalence of morning hypertension increases with age, treatment of morning hypertension has not been established, particularly in Very-Elderly patients. We compared the safety and efficacy of a losartan/hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) combination in controlling morning hypertension between Very-Elderly (≥75 years) and Young/Elderly patients (<75 years). This study was a subanalysis of the Morning Hypertension and Angiotensin Receptor Blocker/Hydrochlorothiazide Combination Therapy study, in which patients with morning hypertension (≥135/85 mmHg) received a 50-mg losartan/12.5-mg HCTZ combination tablet (combination therapy) or 100-mg losartan (high-dose therapy) for 3 months. High adherence rates and few adverse effects were observed in Very-Elderly patients receiving combination (n = 32) and high-dose (n = 34) therapies and in Young/Elderly patients receiving combination (n = 69) and high-dose (n = 66) therapies. Baseline morning systolic BP (SBP) was similar in both age groups receiving either therapy. Morning SBP was reduced by 20.2 and 18.1 mmHg with combination therapy and by 7.1 and 9.1 mmHg with high-dose therapy in the Very-Elderly and Young/Elderly patients, respectively. Morning BP target (<135/85 mmHg) was achieved in 40.6% and 55.1% by combination therapy and in 14.7% and 24.2% by high-dose therapy in the Very-Elderly and Young/Elderly patients, respectively. Neither therapy changed renal function and serum potassium in Very-Elderly patients. In conclusion, the losartan/HCTZ combination was safe and effective in controlling morning hypertension in Very-Elderly as well as Young/Elderly patients. In addition, combination therapy was also superior to high-dose therapy for lowering morning SBP in Very-Elderly patients.

Update of Diuretics in the Treatment of Hypertension

Diuretics, which are primarily used to modify the volume and the composition of body fluids, are widely used to treat hypertension. The diuretics include a) the thiazides and thiazide-like agents, which are the most common drugs used to treat high blood pressure (these drugs inhibit sodium reabsorption in the early distal convoluted tubule); b) loop diuretics, such as furosemide, block chloride and sodium reabsorption by inhibition of the Na/K/2Cl cotransport system in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle; and c) potassium-sparing (retaining) diuretics, including aldosterone receptor blockers (such as spironolactone and eplerenone) and epithelial sodium channel blockers (such as amiloride and triamterene, which interfere with the reabsorption of sodium and excretion of potassium and hydrogen that takes place in the late distal tubule, the connecting tubule, and the cortical collecting duct). Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg once daily or equivalent low dosages of other similar agents reduce blood pressure in approximately one-half to two-thirds of patients who are responsive to this class of drugs; higher doses add little to the effect on blood pressure and also increase side effects. Some combinations of very small doses of thiazide diuretics - for example, 6.25 mg hydrochlorothiazide or 0.625 mg indapamide, with a low dose of an antihypertensive drug of a different class - have average antihypertensive efficacy when used once daily. Furosemide is used in patients with renal failure or severe heart failure and is best given by continuous intravenous infusion. The potassium-sparing diuretics are generally used in combination with thiazide diuretics to treat hypertension. Side effects occur at about the same frequency and severity with equipotent doses of all diuretics. The incidence of side effects is dose-dependent and also increases as a function of the duration of the renal excretory and antihypertensive actions. However, longer-acting diuretics provide better 24-hour control of blood pressure and increase compliance and adherence to the treatment regimen.