A multi-centre general practice study on the use of a timolol/bendrofluazide combination (‘Prestim’) in the management of hypertension: preliminary report

A preliminary report is given on the first 500 patients entered in an on-going open study in general practice of a combination of 10 mg timolol maleate and 2.5 mg bendrofluazide used to treat mild to moderate essential hypertension. After a 2-week placebo period, dose titration was conducted at weekly intervals, with a final assessment 8 weeks after the diastolic blood pressure was controlled. Data for 472 patients out of 492 commencing active therapy were evaluated. Four-hundred and thirty-seven (93%) became normotensive (less than or equal to mmHg diastolic) on a mean dose of 1.9 tablets taken as a single daily dose. Control was maintained over the follow-up period in all but 13 (2.6%) patients who required a dosage reduction and 2 (0.4%) who required a dosage increase. The incidence of side-effects was low, 22 (4.4%) patients stopping treatment due to adverse events. Biochemical parameters all stayed within normal values. The rapidity of dosage titration, patient acceptability, compliance with regard to the once daily dosage and the low incidence of side-effects suggest that the timolol/bendrofluazide combination approaches optimum therapy for mild to moderate hypertension.