A comparison of felodipine and propranolol as additions to hydrochlorothiazide in the treatment of hypertension

Eighty one patients with uncomplicated hypertension who required additional antihypertensive medication (diastolic Phase V [dBP]≧95 mm Hg) after 4 weeks treatment with hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) 25 mg o.m. were randomized to receive felodipine 5 mg b.i.d. (n=40) or propranolol (n=41) 80 mg b.i.d. in addition to HCTZ 25 mg o.m. If the dBP measured about 12 h post-dose was not ≦90 mm Hg after 4 weeks, the dose of felodipine or propranolol was doubled. The double blind trial period was 8 weeks for all patients.