Controlled comparison of the effects of furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide added to propranolol in the treatment of hypertension.

Forty patients completed a double-blind parallel group study comparing furosemide (FUR) and hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) when added to a stable dose of beta blocker in the treatment of mild to moderate hypertension. Both diuretics caused a significant additional fall in blood pressure (BP) when added to propranolol, and there were no differences in the mean BP achieved. However, a higher proportion of patients achieved satisfactory control (BP less than 160/95 mm Hg) on FUR than on HCT and, in addition, there was a more marked dose-response effect with FUR. This study showed that FUR is at least as effective as HCT in the treatment of hypertension when added to propranolol, and appears to possess certain advantages in comparison to the thiazide.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes