Angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB)–diuretic versus ARB–calcium channel blocker combination therapy for hypertension uncontrolled by ARB monotherapy

Abstract

Diuretics or calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are used concomitantly with an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). However, it is not established which ARB-based combination therapy is the most effective and safe. This prospective randomized open-label study compared the efficacy and safety of a fixed-dose tablet of losartan (LST)–hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) (n = 99) and LST–amlodipine (AML) (n = 77) in Japanese patients whose hypertension was uncontrolled by ARB monotherapy. Blood pressure changed similarly over the 12-month study period. Only LST–HCTZ significantly increased serum uric acid (SUA) in patients with low baseline SUA (<5.6 mg/dL) but not in patients with high baseline SUA.