Clinical study of ticrynafen. A new diuretic, antihypertensive, and uricosuric agent

Abstract

In a double-blind study, 20 hypertensive patients were randomly assigned by a 6 wk regimen of either ticrynafen or hydrochlorothiazide. Blood pressure was significantly reduced with both medications, although most patients required an increase in dosage from 250-500 mg ticrynafen daily. Whereas the serum uric acid level rose moderately in the hydrochlorothiazide-treated patients, it fell strikingly to less than half of the pretreatment level in patients treated with ticrynafen. Body weight decreased slightly in both groups, as did serum K levels. Blood urea N and serum creatinine levels rose slightly in both groups. The magnitude of these changes was not significantly different between the 2 groups. Use of ticrynafen was well tolerated. Ticrynafen appeared to be a useful new antihypertensive agent because of its unique combination of diuretic, antihypertensive and hypouricemic effects.