Atenolol vs. amiloride-hydrochlorothiazide in the treatment of mild to moderate hypertension: a double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled study.

The antihypertensive effect of atenolol 100 mg was compared to that of amiloride HCl 5 mg + hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg (AHCZ) in a double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled study of 128 patients. Both drugs were given once daily. Atenolol produced a significant decline in lying, standing, and postexercise blood pressure and pulse rate values. The corresponding values on AHCZ were not significantly different from placebo. Both the beta-blocking agent and the thiazide diuretic with amiloride were relatively well tolerated. More than half of all adverse effects were nonspecific and also observed in patients on placebo. In the population studied, atenolol proved to be a superior antihypertensive agent to AHCZ.