ANTIHYPERTENSIVE AND HEMODYNAMIC-EFFECTS OF TICRYNAFEN COMPARED WITH HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE

A double-blind study was performed in 33 ambulatory men, 27 black and 6 white, with mild to moderate essential hypertention to evaluate antihypertensive effects of ticrynafen (Ty) versus hydrochlorothiazide (HTZ), each administered for 24 weeks. Heart rate did not change supine and increased slightly on standing. However, systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressure all decreased significantly with either treatment, whether the patients were supine or standing. Standing diastolic blood pressure dropped from 104.50±5.6 to 92.4±8.9 mm Hg (p<0.005) in Ty-treated patients, and from 103.2±6.1 to 93.0±76. mm Hg (p<0.005) in the HTZ group. Serum potassium and chloride decreased with both drugs while serum uric acid decreased significantly (p<0.005) with Ty treatment, and increased (p<0.005) with HTZ. Hemodynamic functions and plasma renin activity (PRA) were determined in 7 patients on Ty and 6 on HTZ. After 24 weeks treatment, plasma volume was decreased below control both with Ty (p<0.01) and HTZ (p<0.005). Resting cardiac output also decreased significantly (p<0.05) with both drugs. Supine and standing PRA increased eight-to ninefold above control values with either treatment. The data indicate that Ty is an effective antihypertensive agent, much like HTZ. However, its unique uricosuric property prevents the hyperuricemia frequently associated with thiazide therapy.