Assessment of the efficacy and acceptability of an acebutolol/ hydkhlorothiazide combination in the treatment of mild to moderate essential hypertension

The efficacy and acceptability of single daily doses of a fixed combination of 400 mg acebutolol and 25 mg hydrochlorothiazide were assessed in an open study of 30 patients suffering from mild to moderate essential hypertension. Results from 20 patients who completed the 6-months' active drug period, and 9 patients whose treatment was terminated at various times before the end of this period, indicated significant reduction in the systolic and diastolic blood pressure in supine, sitting and standing positions. This effect was apparent from the first month on drug therapy and was maintained throughout the 6-month trial. In no patient was withdrawal from this study attributable to side-effects of the drug. Results indicated good control of hypertension by a single dose of the combined drugs and good patient compliance was observed during the study. Potassium loss, frequently experienced during hydrochlorothiazide treatment, was not observed in the presence of acebutolol.