VISKALDIX(R) THERAPY IN ESSENTIAL-HYPERTENSION - A 10-YEAR STUDY

The safety and effectiveness of Viskaldix(R), a combination beta-block er and diuretic, as monotherapy for essential hypertension was monitor ed for 10 years in a group consisting initially of 60 patients. By the end of the 10-year period, 34 of the 60 patients were still taking th e drug regularly, but seven of these patients required supplemental th erapy. The remaining 26 patients withdrew from the trial for various r easons. The blood pressure of the patients receiving Viskaldix monothe rapy remained well under control throughout the 10-year period. No sig nificant changes were detected in the final laboratory data compared w ith the results of control tests performed after 1 year of therapy. Tw o patients required potassium supplements in addition to the daily 1.5 to 2 tablets of Viskaldix because of systremma and faintness. Among t he 11 diabetic patients participating in the study, 9 were still takin g Viskaldix after 7 years and 8 were taking the drug after 10 years (1 patient died); no changes were observed in the carbohydrate metabolis m of these patients. In the last 3 years of the study, diabetes develo ped in three patients but the disease was controlled with diet therapy . Of the 26 patients who withdrew from the study, five dropped out bec ause of side effects. Patient compliance with Viskaldix therapy was go od. In our experience, Viskaldix is the drug of choice for the long-te rm treatment of patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension.