Fixed combination of sotalol and hydrochlorothiazide in the treatment of uncomplicated hypertension.

The combination of sotalol and hydrochlorothiazide in a fixed ratio of 6.4:1 was evaluated in thirty patients with uncomplicated hypertension. In the first part of the study, once daily administration of an optimal dose of the combination was significantly more effective than either hydrochlorothiazide or sotalol alone in lowering both the supine and standing systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Blood pressure was still controlled 24 h after the previous dose. Serum potassium fell by 0.37 mEq/l from the mean pretreatment value after treatment with the combination, but it still remained within the normal range. In the second part of the study the long term effect of the combination on blood pressure, heart rate and biochemical parameters was studied in twenty patients. Supine and standing blood pressure fell by 28.7/15.3 mmHg and 29.5/17.6 mmHg, respectively (p less than 0.001). Serum potassium was 3.98 +/- 0.07 mEq/l after twelve months of therapy; potassium supplements were not administered. Like serum potassium, the other biochemical parameters remained within the normal range. The combination was well tolerated on long term use, and only one patient withdrew from the study.