Clinical experience with a new combination formulation of triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide (Maxzide) in patients with mild to moderate hypertension.

The results of an investigation to assess the clinical responses of patients with mild to moderate hypertension to a new combination formulation containing 75 mg triamterene and 50 mg hydrochlorothiazide are reported. One hundred fifty-six subjects entered the investigation. Subjects were divided into three groups, depending on whether they took two (group 1) or four capsules per day of a currently available formulation of triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide (Dyazide), or no antihypertensive medication prior to the start of the study. These medications were continued for an additional two weeks to generate baseline data. Thereafter, subjects received one tablet of the new combination formulation for four weeks. Seventy of the 156 participants received the new formulation for an additional period of at least 20 weeks. Observations during the study included sitting and standing pulse and blood pressure, weight, and serum electrolytes, uric acid, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen levels. The results of the investigation indicated that subjects transferred to the new combination drug maintained normal serum electrolyte values, including potassium, with no or minor changes in the levels of uric acid, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen. Reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure were observed in all three study groups, including subjects receiving two or four capsules of Dyazide per day in the two-week baseline period. We conclude that mild to moderately hypertensive subjects taking no medication or either two or four capsules of Dyazide per day may be transferred safely to the new combination product of triamterene and hydrochlothiazide.