The Antihypertensive Efficacy of Chlorthalidone and Telmisartan in Indian Hypertensive Patients who were Uncontrolled with Hydrochlorothiazide and Telmisartan Combination-A Prospective and an Open Label Study.

OBJECTIVE The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the antihypertensive efficacy of the chlorthalidone and telmisartan combination in Indian hypertensive patients who remained uncontrolled after taking the hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan combination. METHODS A total of 100 eligible patients were enrolled in this prospective, open label study. The patients were given telmisartan (40 mg) and chlorthalidone (12.5 mg), who had not achieved the target blood pressure (140/90 mmHg) despite taking the combination of telmisartan (40 mg) and hydrochlorothiazide (12.5 mg). The assessment was done at the end of 4 weeks and 8 weeks. RESULTS The mean SBP and DBP after taking telmisartan (40 mg) and hydrochlorothiazide (12.5 mg) were 154.88±9.57 (range 144 to 160) mmHg and 99.37±2.78 (range 92 to 106). At the end of 4 weeks of being on telmisartan (40 mg) and chlorthalidone (12.5 mg), the mean SBP and DBP were 145.56±5.12 (range 134 to 158) mmHg and 95.14±4.27 (range 84 to 100) mmHg. Significant falls in the SBP (5.32±2.64) and DBP (4.18±2.48) were noted at the end of the 4 week therapy. They were sustained at the end of 8 weeks also. The SBP target (<140 mmHg) was achieved in 24 % patients. The DBP target (<90 mmHg) was achieved in 19% patients. The combined SBP and DBP target (<140/90 mmHg) was achieved in 15% patients. No significant clinical adverse events were reported. Similar falls in the SBP and DBP were noted in the subgroups (smokers, females, diabetics, etc). CONCLUSIONS The hypertensive patients who do not achieve the target blood pressures on telmisartan and hydrochlorothiazide can be switched on to the telmisartan and chlorthalidone combination. This combination is effective and well tolerated.