Objective: The effects of low doses of hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and amiloride in a fixed-combination formulation on blood pressure (BP), serum K+ and diabetic control were assessed in 11 adult Nigerians with hypertension and type 2 diabetes for 12 weeks. Methods: The study included concurrent exposure to 75 mg of aspirin daily by mouth and dietary advice not to add table salt to regular meals, initiated 4 weeks prior to HCTZ therapy. Results: The addition of 12.5 mg of HCTZ resulted in a significantly lower BP, which was evident within 4 weeks. There was no significant variation in serum K+, Na+, creatinine or body weight or the need to alter the dose of hypoglycaemic agents. An initial rise in fasting blood sugar (FBS) after 4 weeks of HCTZ therapy was evident but subsequent rises were not significantly different to the initial rise in FBS observed at week 4. Conclusions: These observations are preliminary and would need longer-term follow-up and treatment of a larger number of patients for confirmation, but they do have the potential to lead to a cheaper and safer therapeutic approach to effective control of BP in diabetic Nigerians with hypertension.

Keywords:
Hypertension, Diabetes, Blood pressure, Low-dose hydrochlorothiazide, Nigerians
This content is only available via PDF.
© 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel
2001
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.