[Value of the timolol-hydrochlorothiazide-amiloride hydrochloride combination in the mass treatment of arterial hypertension. Results of a multinational study].

In a 10-week double-blind study, 283 hypertensive patients were treated with a beta-blocker (timolol) alone, a combination of two diuretics (hydrochlorothiazide + amiloride) or a combination of both types of treatment. The results on blood pressure figures were very much in favor of the combination therapy as compared to monotherapy. In a second step, the trial was unblinded and all patients continued with the beta-blocker/diuretic combination for a total of 24 weeks. The medium-term results confirmed those obtained during the double-blind study with regard to the effectiveness and good tolerance of the combination treatment.