THE EFFECT OF TENIDAP ON THE ANTIHYPERTENSIVE EFFICACY OF THIAZIDE DIURETICS IN PATIENTS TREATED FOR MILD-TO-MODERATE HYPERTENSION

1 This randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group st udy was conducted to assess the effect of tenidap sodium 120 mg, a nov el anti-arthritic cytokine modulating drug, on the hypotensive efficac y of the thiazide diuretics hydrochlorothiazide or bendrofluazide. 2 T wenty-three male and female patients, aged 41-78 years, with mild to m oderate, uncomplicated, essential hypertension controlled with thiazid e diuretic therapy, received either a single daily dose of tenidap sod ium 120 mg or matched placebo for 22 days in addition to their diureti c therapy. Changes between baseline and endpoint in supine and standin g systolic and diastolic pressures and pulse rate were compared betwee n treatment groups. 3 Daily treatment with tenidap reduced the anti-hy pertensive efficacy of the thiazide diuretics. Blood pressure tended t o increase marginally and the increase in mean standing diastolic pres sure observed with tenidap was significantly greater than the change i n the placebo group. All pressures tended to decrease in the placebo g roup and all endpoint measurements were within 7 mm Hg of baseline in both groups. 4 Treatment-related side effects of mild to moderate seve rity were reported in two subjects receiving tenidap, but in neither c ase was treatment discontinued. Two subjects receiving placebo also ex perienced side effects considered to be treatment-related and both wer e withdrawn from the study. 5 The results of this study suggest that t enidap may be given to patients treated for mild to moderate essential hypertension controlled with thiazide therapy; however, the patient's blood pressure should be regularly monitored.