Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide: a review of its use in the treatment of hypertension and for stroke risk reduction in patients with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy

Drugs. 2009 Jun 18;69(9):1239-65. doi: 10.2165/00003495-200969090-00008.

Abstract

Losartan/hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) [Hyzaar(R)] is a fixed-dose combination of the angiotensin II receptor antagonist (angiotensin receptor blocker [ARB]) losartan and the thiazide diuretic HCTZ. It is indicated for the treatment of hypertension (including as initial therapy in severe hypertension) and for stroke risk reduction in patients with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Losartan/HCTZ is an effective combination therapy, lowering blood pressure (BP) to a greater extent than losartan or HCTZ alone in patients with hypertension. Other ARB/HCTZ fixed-dose combinations generally lowered BP to a greater extent than losartan/HCTZ in patients with hypertension, although whether this translates into improvements in cardiovascular outcomes is not known. In the LIFE study, losartan-based therapy was associated with a lower incidence of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality than atenolol-based therapy, mainly as a result of a reduced risk of stroke; the incidence of new-onset diabetes mellitus was also lower with losartan-based therapy. Losartan/HCTZ is a well tolerated combination therapy. Thus, losartan/HCTZ remains an important option in the treatment of hypertension, as well as being indicated to reduce stroke risk in patients with hypertension and LVH.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / administration & dosage
  • Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / adverse effects
  • Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / economics
  • Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / pharmacokinetics
  • Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / therapeutic use*
  • Animals
  • Antihypertensive Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antihypertensive Agents / adverse effects
  • Antihypertensive Agents / economics
  • Antihypertensive Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Antihypertensive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Diuretics / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Combinations
  • Drug Interactions
  • Humans
  • Hydrochlorothiazide / administration & dosage
  • Hydrochlorothiazide / adverse effects
  • Hydrochlorothiazide / economics
  • Hydrochlorothiazide / pharmacokinetics
  • Hydrochlorothiazide / therapeutic use*
  • Hypertension / complications
  • Hypertension / drug therapy*
  • Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / drug therapy
  • Losartan / administration & dosage
  • Losartan / adverse effects
  • Losartan / economics
  • Losartan / pharmacokinetics
  • Losartan / therapeutic use*
  • Risk Reduction Behavior
  • Stroke / prevention & control
  • Tissue Distribution

Substances

  • Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers
  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Diuretics
  • Drug Combinations
  • Hydrochlorothiazide
  • Losartan