Comparison of the effects of guanabenz and hydrochlorothiazide on plasma lipids

The effects of hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and guanabenz monotherapy on blood pressure and serum lipoprotein levels were compared in a 14-week, randomized, parallel, double-blind multicenter study of 218 outpatients with mild hypertension. Mean supine blood pressure decreased 13/9 mm Hg in the guanabenz group and 17/11 mm Hg in the HCTZ group, changes that were significantly (p < 0.01) different from baseline but not significantly different between the two treatment groups. Significant (p < 0.01) mean decreases in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels (of 9 mg/dl and 4 mg/dl from baseline values) occurred during guanabenz treatment; HDL cholesterol levels fell by an average of 4 mg/dl. In the HCTZ group, triglyceride levels were significantly (p < 0.01) increased by 13 mg/dl, and HDL cholesterol levels fell by 2 mg/dl. The change in LDL cholesterol levels, but not HDL cholesterol levels, was significantly different between guanabenz, and HCTZ periods. The results show that guanabenz, although providing effective blood pressure control that is comparable to that of HCTZ, has more favorable effects on lipoproteins.