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This page/column contains information which may be of interest to consumers. The information is based on articles which appear in Australian Prescriber. As Australian Prescriber is written for health professionals, you should discuss any issues raised by this page/column with your doctor or pharmacist. They will be able to give a more detailed answer to your questions by reading the main article.
Australian Prescriber is unable to comment on individual cases or give second opinions.
Australian Prescriber Vol. 27 No. 4 2004
Which medicine for blood pressure?
People with high blood pressure may benefit from changing their lifestyle to keep their blood pressure under control. They should stop smoking, exercise, eat a healthy diet and lose weight, if they are overweight.
If a medicine is needed to control the blood pressure, there are several to choose from. There is debate about whether new expensive medicines, such as acetylcholinesterase (ACE) inhibitors, are better than older cheaper medicines, such as diuretics (fluid tablets).
ACE inhibitors and diuretics have been compared in two clinical trials. There was not much difference between them.
For many patients the choice of treatment does not make a difference. The important issue is to control their blood pressure. This may require treatment with more than one medicine. For example some people will need to take an ACE inhibitor and a diuretic.
