Timolol and a hydrochlorothiazide-amiloride combination in the treatment of essential hypertension in young and middle-aged patients: a comparative study with once-daily administration.

The antihypertensive effects of timolol administered once daily and a combination diuretic were compared in 45 young and middle-aged hypertensive patients. Both treatments significantly reduced lying and standing systolic and diastolic blood pressures as compared to placebo. There were no significant differences between blood pressure reductions after treatment with timolol or with the diuretic. There was a slight negative correlation between the decrease of diastolic blood pressure during timolol treatment and patient age. Serum potassium decreased slightly but significantly during treatment with the diuretic.