Half-strength atenolol-chlorthalidone combination (tenoretic mite) in the treatment of elderly hypertensive patients.

The antihypertensive efficacy and tolerance of a new fixed combination of 50 mg atenolol and 12.5 mg chlorthalidone (Tenoretic Mite, TM) was studied in 37 patients with arterial hypertension, aged 61-80 years (mean, 70.2 years), who had been randomized to either 50 mg atenolol or 12.5 mg chlorthalidone for a 4-week period. At the end of this period, the fixed combination of atenolol and chlorthalidone was given to all patients for 6 months at a dose of one tablet daily in the morning. In both atenolol- and chlorthalidone-pretreated patients, treatment with the fixed combination resulted in a further significant drop in blood pressure, whereas the heart rate decreased only in the latter group. The mean blood pressure reduction achieved by the fixed combination was 30/15 mmHg in the standing position. Serum potassium levels significantly increased with the fixed combination compared with values on chlorthalidone alone. Unwanted effects were rare, and their frequency tended to decrease over time. In conclusion, the fixed combination of 50 mg atenolol plus 12.5 mg chlorthalidone tested in this study proved highly effective in lowering elevated blood pressure values in a population of elderly hypertensive patients treated over a 6-month period without noticeable unwanted effects.