Indapamide versus beta-blocker therapy: a double-blind, crossover study in essential hypertension.
A controlled, double-blind, double-placebo, crossover clinical trial was carried out in 24 mild to moderate hypertensives of either sex to compare the anti-hypertensive and other effects of indapamide (2.5 mg) and pindolol (15 mg). After a 2-week run-in placebo period the patients were randomly assigned to one of the drugs in the study for 6 weeks. After a second 2-week placebo period, the subjects received the alternative drug for an additional 6 weeks. Both drugs produced a significant and similar decrease in arterial blood pressure (averaging 19 mmHg for systolic and 15 mmHg for diastolic blood pressure; p less than 0.05), with minimal differences between the drugs in this respect (p greater than 0.10). Pulse, rate, however, was significantly reduced (from 76 to 67 beats/min; p less than 0.05) only with pindolol. The laboratory data did not change appreciably, and few side-effects were reported. It is concluded that indapamide and pindolol at the dosage levels used are drugs of comparable antihypertensive activity.