The antihypertensive effect of indapamide (2.5 mg/day) was evaluated in 2184 patients with essential hypertension by 300 French general practitioners over a period of treatment of 3 months. Indapamide produced a significant reduction in blood pressure, the amplitude of which was directly related to pre-treatment blood pressure levels; normalization of blood pressure was achieved in approximately 66% of patients. Addition of a beta-blocker to the treatment regimen on the second month was required in only 10% of patients. No severe side-effect was reported, although a significant reduction in kalaemia was noted in less than 5% of patients.