The use of antihypertensive therapy in Spain (1986-1994).

We aimed to analyze the trends in antihypertensive therapy in Spain during the period 1986 to 1994, as well as the change in the pattern of different drugs, in relation to different national/international recommendations for hypertension treatment. Antihypertensive consumption was studied using the defined daily dose (DDD) and the DHD (DDD/1000 inhabitants/day) of each drug, as defined by the Drug Utilization Research Group of the European Office of the World Health Organization. The anatomical classification of hypotensive drugs has been made according to EPhMRA (European Pharmaceutical Market Association) guidelines. A significant increase of 117.4% (41.39/90 DHD) in antihypertensive drug consumption was observed in the period 1986 to 1994. In 1986 diuretics were the most consumed (30.27 DHD), followed by calcium antagonists (5.37), beta-blockers (3.93), and the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (1.37). In 1994 ACE inhibitors, calcium antagonists, and beta-blockers increased significantly (P < .0001), whereas diuretics were still the most commonly prescribed. Nifedipine and captopril were the most used among calcium antagonists and ACE inhibitors. National and international recommendations had no effect on prescription patterns. Antihypertensive therapy of all types is increasing in Spain. Diuretics remain the most popular, beta-blockers stay stable, whereas the newer types are rising rapidly. National and international recommendations had no effect on prescription patterns.