A general practice study of timolol/hydrochlorothiazide/amiloride ('Moducren'), a new therapy for hypertension, and the doctor's influence on management.

An open study was carried out in general practice to assess the efficacy and tolerance of a timolol (10 mg)/hydrochlorothiazide (25 mg)/amiloride (2.5 mg) preparation in 558 hypertensive patients previously receiving multi-dose antihypertensive therapy, and to determine whether the results were influenced by the manner in which the doctor conducted this change in therapy. Patients received 1 or, if necessary, 2 tablets once daily over a period of 12 weeks and were randomly allocated on entry to one of two groups. One group was given a full explanation for the change in therapy, the other group was simply told that treatment was to be changed. The results showed that the change in treatment led to a significant reduction in blood pressure in both groups, at a dosage of 1 tablet daily in over half the patients, and the majority (88%) preferred the new form of treatment. Patient acceptance was good and the number of reports of adverse symptoms decreased during the study period. There was no significant difference in any of the results between the two groups.