Abstract: . . .  tensive patients. There will be a proportion of patients (20-25%) where thiazides are proven ineffective or inappropriate. In these patients or in patients requiring more than one drug, other drugs must be substituted or added. These other drugs will be discussed in the next Therapeutics Letter. Diuretic Trade name Usual Dosage Range Daily Cost* (in cents) 1.25 - 2.5 mg daily 2.5 mg daily 1/2 -1 tablet daily 1/4 - 1/2 tablet daily . . .
. . .  criteria of effectiveness and cost, thiazides are clearly the drug of first choice. Based on the criteria of efficacy, tolerability and convenience, thiazides are equivalent to or better than all other drugs. Therefore, thiazides are the drug of first choice for most uncomplicated hyper- tensive patients. There will be a proportion of patients (20-25%) where thiazides are proven ineffective or inappropriate. In these patients or in patients requiring more than one drug, other drugs must be substituted . . .
. . .  Research Group. Treatment of Mild Hypertension Study Final Results. JAMA. 1993;270:713-724. 6. Calder JA, Schachter M, Sever PS. Ion Channel Involvement in the Acute Vascular Effects of Thiazide Diuretics and Related Compounds. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 1993;265:1175-80. * Least expensive available formulation in B.C, 1993  . . .
. . .  in the Elderly Program (SHEP). JAMA, 1991;265:3255-64. 4. Medical Research Council trial of treatment of hypertension in older adults: Principal results. Br Med J. 1992;304:405-12. 5. Treatment of Mild Hypertension Study Research Group. Treatment of Mild Hypertension Study Final Results. JAMA. 1993;270:713-724. 6. Calder JA, Schachter M, Sever PS. Ion Channel Involvement in the Acute Vascular Effects of Thiazide Diuretics and Related Compounds. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 1993;265:1175-80. . . .
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