EFFICACY OF VALSARTAN PLUS AMLODIPINE VERSUS VALSARTAN PLUS HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE FOR CONTROL OF MODERATE TO SEVERE HYPERTENSION: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Abstract

Objective: To compare of the efficacy of valsartan plus amlodipine versusvalsartan plus hydrochlorothiazide for control of moderate to severehypertension.

Methodology: This randomized controlled trial was conducted at Department ofCardiology, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar from 1 January, 2015 to 30 June,2015. All patients with stage 2 hypertension of either gender were randomlyassigned into two groups. Patients in group A were subjected to combination ofvalsartan 160 mg plus amlodipine 10 mg and patients in group B were subjectedto the combination of valsartan 160 mg plus hyrochlorothiazide 25 mg . Patientswere selected by non probability purposive technique. All patients were followedfor 4 weeks.

Results: A total of 88 patients were included in this study. Mean age in bothgroups was 65±1.26 years. In group A, 27(62%) patients were males, where asin group B, 26(60%) patients were males. Valsartan+Amlodipine was effectivein 32(72%) cases and was not effective in 12(28%) cases while Valsartan +Hydrochlorothiazide was effective in 35(80%) cases and was not effective in9(20%) cases (p=0.2).

Conclusion: Both combinations had similar anti-hypertensive effects, howeverValsartan+Hydrochlorothiazide combination had a better therapeutic profile asit showed fewer side effects and less treatment dropout than Valsartan +Amlodipine combination.