[The antihypertensive effects of the lisinopril-hydrochlorothiazide combination (Zestoretic) in elderly hypertensive patients. The results of a multicenter study. The Italian Zestoretic Study Group].

The present study was aimed at evaluating the effects of combined lisinopril-hydrochlorothiazide (Zestoretic) antihypertensive treatment on sphygmomanometric and 24-hour systolic and diastolic blood pressure values in 631 elderly patients (mean age +/- SD 68.8 +/- 5.8 years) with mild-to-moderate essential systolic-diastolic or isolated systolic hypertension. After a wash-out period of 4 weeks, patients received o.d. lisinopril combined with hydrochlorothiazide for a 6-week period. At the end of both periods, sphygmomanometric blood pressure was assessed 24 hours after dosing and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure was performed, taking blood pressure readings every 15 minutes during day- and night-time. The drug induced in all elderly hypertensives clearcut and significant systolic and diastolic blood pressure reductions (average reduction amounting to 25 mmHg and 15 mmHg for systolic and diastolic blood pressure values respectively) without any significant heart rate change. The antihypertensive effect of combined lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide was significant during the whole 24-hour monitoring period. This antihypertensive drug regimen was well tolerated, a low side effect profile being observed (10.3% of treated patients). Thus single daily administration of combined lisinopril-hydrochlorothiazide represents a safe and effective antihypertensive drug regimen.