| Abstract: | Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the effects of valsartan or olmesartan addition to dual therapy with amlodipine + hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) in the treatment of stage 2 hypertension. Research design and methods: 180 patients with diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥ 99 and < 110 mm Hg were treated with amlodipine 5 mg + HCTZ 12.5 mg combination. After 4 weeks, 149 patients whose blood pressure (BP) was not controlled, were randomized to the combination of valsartan 160 mg + amlodipine 5 mg + HCTZ 12.5 mg or olmesartan 20 mg + amlodipine 5 mg + HCTZ 12.5 mg for 4 weeks. Main outcome measures: At the end of each period, clinical and ambulatory BP measurements were recorded. Results: Both triple combinations produced greater ambulatory and clinical SBP/DBP reduction than dual therapy. However, mean reduction from baseline in the valsartan + amlodipine + HCTZ-treated patients was significantly greater than in the olmesartan + amlodipine + HCTZ-treated patients. Compared with dual therapy, the add-on effect of valsartan was significantly greater than that of olmesartan, the difference being more evident for nighttime SBP/DBP values (-3.3 (95% CI 0.44 – 3.51)/3.0 (95% CI 0.59 – 3.34) mm Hg, p < 0.01). Conclusions: The addition of valsartan to amlodipine + HCTZ produced greater BP reduction than the addition of olmesartan. |
