OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy and safety of bisoprolol/hydrochlorothiazide (Lodoz) in patients with mild and moderate essential hypertension.

METHODSAfter 2 weeks of placebo run-in period, 90 hypertensive patients with sitting diastolic blood pressure (DBP) between 95 and 109 mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) below 180 mm Hg were treated by Lodoz (2.5 mg/6.25 mg/day) for 4 weeks. If DBP > 90 mm Hg at 4 weeks, Lodoz (5 mg/6.25 mg/day) was given for another 8 weeks. Clinic systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) were performed at the end of placebo run-in period and at 4 and 8 weeks.

RESULTSAfter 4 or 8 weeks treatment with Lodoz, clinic systolic and diastolic blood pressure, the 24-hour mean, daytime and nocturnal blood pressures reduced significantly compared to placebo run-in period [SBP and DBP reduced (14.89 +/- 10.99)/(10.37 +/- 7.35) mm Hg (4 weeks) and (19.40 +/- 10.55)/(13.31 +/- 7.77) mm Hg (8 weeks)] respectively (P < 0.05). The total efficacy rate is 59.3% for Lodoz 2.5 mg/6.25 mg and 69.8% for Lodoz 5 mg/6.25 mg. The trough: peak ratio for SBP and DBP were 91.5% and 94.4% with Lodoz 2.5 mg/6.25 mg, and 79.9% and 80.5% with Lodoz 5 mg/6.25 mg. The smoothness index (SI) for SBP and DBP were 9.07 and 6.48 with Lodoz 2.5 mg/6.25 mg, and 4.17 and 4.47 with Lodoz 5 mg/6.25 mg, respectively. Few side effects were observed during treatment including mild headache and dizziness and slightly increased serum urea acid.

CONCLUSIONLodoz (2.5 mg/6.25 mg and 5 mg/6.25 mg) can effectively reduce the 24 hours blood pressure in patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension.