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Antihypertensive drugs: adverse reactions and metabolic effects in elderly patients

Gifford RW

Geriatrics, 1989

Abstract

Symptomatic and metabolic side effects seen in the treatment of elderly hypertensive patients are an area of concern for physicians. Of the four drug classes used as Step 1 antihypertensive agents--diuretics, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and calcium-entry blocking agents--only diuretics have been studied as monotherapy for the elderly in placebo-controlled, long-term clinical trials. These studies have shown diuretics to be well tolerated in this patient population, producing only mild, infrequent side effects.

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Evidence Hub reads this as a clinical trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence.

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