Efficacy and safety of combinations of nitrendipine, atenolol, and hydrochlorothiazide in black hypertensive patients.

Twenty-four black hypertensive patients were studied in a randomized, double-blind trial of combinations of nitrendipine, atenolol, and hydrochlorothiazide. After six weeks, blood pressure was normalized in all three treatment groups, i.e. diastolic blood pressure less than 95 mmHg and a decline in diastolic blood pressure of at least 5 mmHg from baseline. The drug combinations containing hydrochlorothiazide were associated with higher incidence of metabolic abnormalities, especially hypokalaemia and hyperuricaemia.