The efficacy and safety of initial use of irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide fixed-dose combination in hypertensive patients with and without high cardiovascular risk.

A post hoc pooled analysis of 2 multicenter, randomized, double-blind, active-controlled force-titration studies assessed the antihypertensive efficacy and tolerability of 7 to 8 weeks' once-daily fixed-dose irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) 300/25 mg in 796 stage 1 or 2 hypertensive patients according to age (65 years or older or younger than 65) (n=121 or 675) and presence or absence of obesity (n=378 or 414), type 2 diabetes (n=99 or 697), and high World Health Organization-defined cardiovascular risk (n=593 or 202). Systolic/diastolic blood pressure reductions (27-31/16-22 mm Hg) were similar regardless of age, obesity, and type 2 diabetes status and were greater in high- vs low-risk patients. Dizziness (2.0%-3.7%), hypotension (0%-0.7%), and syncope (0%) were rare and not centered in any subgroup. There was no hypotension in the elderly or in type 2 diabetics. Irbesartan/HCTZ provided consistent blood pressure lowering and tolerability regardless of age, obesity, and type 2 diabetes and greater efficacy in patients with high cardiovascular risk.