Efficacy and safety of olmesartan and hydrochlorothiazide versus telmisartan and hydrochlorothiazide in newly diagnosed patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension

Background: Hypertension is one of the most prevalent noncommunicable diseases. The Joint National Commission VIII guidelines recommend angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) as the first‑line drug and addition of hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) increases their efficacy. Olmesartan medoxomil is recently introduced, whereas telmisartan is a relatively older ARB. This study was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of olmesartan and HCTZ versus telmisartan and HCTZ in the treatment of mild‑to‑moderate hypertension. Materials and Methods: A total of 120 patients with mild‑to‑moderate hypertension were recruited and randomized to receive either olmesartan 20 mg+HCTZ 12.5 mg (Group O) or telmisartan 40 mg+HCTZ 12.5 mg (Group T) orally once daily for 8 weeks. Blood pressure (BP) and heart rate were recorded at baseline and at 4th and 8th weeks, but blood sugar and lipid profile were estimated at baseline and 8th week. Results: Forty‑six Group O and 44 Group T patients completed the study. Majority of patients were in the fifth decade of life (72.3%), 56% were males, and 35% had type II diabetes mellitus and received oral antidiabetics. The mean BP was 148.6±5.9/89.2±5.9 and 147.9±5.2/88.1±4.2 mmHg at baseline and decreased significantly at week 8 (131.0 ± 5.4/80.3 ± 2.9 and 136.8 ± 5.5/83.6 ± 3.9 mmHg) in Group O and Group T respectively. Patients in GroupO had significant reduction in systolic BP (SBP) (P = 0.0001) and diastolic BP (P = 0.04) than that in Group T. More than 10 mmHg decrease in SBP was observed in 86.9% versus 65.9% of patients in Group O and GroupT, respectively, which was statistically significant(P=0.01). Diabetic patients in both groups had a significant decrease in blood sugar by week 8, but intergroup comparison was insignificant. Change in heart rate and lipid profile was negligible. Common adverse effects were dizziness, abdominal pain, and pedal edema in both groups. Conclusion: Olmesartan + HCTZ was more effective than telmisartan + HCTZ in lowering BP.