What guidance does ALLHAT provide regarding drug selection for patients with untreated hypertension?
Thiazide-type diuretics, in low to moderate doses, are recommended as initial therapy for two reasons. They are more effective than amlodipine (representing calcium channel blockers) and lisinopril (representing ACE inhibitors) in reducing the risk of hypertensive complications such as heart failure. Additionally, due to their lower cost, increased use of diuretics would reduce drug expenditures for hypertensive patients and society.
