Trasicor Versus Metyldopa in Pakistani Hypertensive Patients: A Comparative Study of Effictacy and Tolerability

Twenty-six patients suffering from mild to moderate hypertension were randomly assigned to one of two antihypertensive regimens, and active therapy continued for six weeks. The first regimen consisted of TRASICOR (oxprenolol) 80 mg twice daily plus HYGROTON (chlorthalidone) 20 mg once daily, while the second regimen consisted of methyldopa 250 mg thrice daily plus HYGROTON 20 mg once daily. The clinical protocol allowed contingency for doubling initial dosage after four weeks to obtain optimal antihypertensive effect. While both regimens resulted in antihypertensive effect, greater therapeutic efficacy was demonstrated in patients receiving TRASICOR, and effective reduction of blood pressure with initial single dosage was achieved in 85% of patients in the TRASICOR group compared to only 46% in those receiving metholdopa. Multiple unwanted effects were reported in 62% of patients receiving methyldopa. Unwanted effects were reported in 31% of patients receiving TRASICOR, and in all instances these were solitary. Those factors of primary importance in maintaining long-term control of hypertension are briefly discussed, with particular exphasis on the central role of patient compliance (J.P.M.A. 31:172, 1981).