Amiloride hydrochloride in hypertensive patients.

In man amiloride hydrochloride (MK-870) has been shown to be an orally effective diuretic which causes a positive potassium balance. It also enhances the saluretic effects of hydrochlorothiazide and ethacrynic acid and in addition prevents the negative potassium balance caused by these diuretics (Wilson et al., 1966; Gombos et al., 1966). Gombos et al. also studied its effects in 10 hypertensive patients, all of whom were on other antihypertensive agents. The present study was undertaken to compare the effect of amiloride hydrochloride with hydrochlorothiazide in mild hypertensives who were on no other therapy.