A post-marketing acceptability study in 11,685 patients of the efficacy of timolol/bendrofluazide in the management of hypertension in general practice

Abstract

A post-marketing acceptability study was performed in 11,685 patients to assess the efficacy and acceptability of 10 mg timolol/2.5 mg bendrofluazide in patients with mild to moderate hypertension in general practice. The initial dose was 1 tablet/day. This was adjusted at weekly intervals up to a maximum of 4 tablets/day or until blood pressures of less than or equal to 95 mmHg diastolic or, in patients of greater than or equal to 60 years, less than or equal to 100 mmHg plus the patient's age (in years) systolic, were achieved. Stabilized patients were followed-up after 12, 24 and 48 weeks. Of the patients enrolled, 69% (8039) were successfully treated for at least 8 weeks, 26% (3033) were withdrawn and 5% (613) defaulted. One tablet/day was required by 61% of patients and 29% required 2 tablets/day to achieve stabilization. The mean reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressures and pulse rate were 31 and 19 mmHg, and 11 beats/min, respectively. Over 60% of the patients enrolled were still taking timolol/bendrofluazide after 12 months' continuous therapy. The most frequently reported reason for withdrawal was an 'adverse event' which occurred in 15.4% (1805) of patients. Only 1.9% (217) failed to achieve target blood pressure on 4 tablets/day. This large study has shown timolol/bendrofluazide to be a highly effective and acceptable once daily therapy for mild to moderate hypertension in general practice.