Low dose bendrofluazide (1.25 mg) effectively lowers blood pressure over 24 h: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study.

Previous studies indicate that low dose bendrofluazide (1.25 mg/day) has no deleterious effect on insulin sensitivity in contrast to conventional doses. To evaluate the antihypertensive effect of 1.25 mg bendrofluazide across 24 h, we studied 12 subjects in a randomized, double blind, cross-over trial, comprising 8 weeks of either 1.25 mg/day bendrofluazide or placebo. Twenty-four-hour blood pressure averages were significantly lower after bendrofluazide compared with placebo (systolic 125 +/- 4 v 136 +/- 3 mm Hg, P < .005; diastolic: 78 +/- 2 v 85 +/- 2 mm Hg, P < .01). Trough:peak ratios were 0.67 +/- 0.07 for systolic and 0.72 +/- 0.15 for diastolic blood pressure reduction. In conclusion, 1.25 mg bendrofluazide daily produced a useful antihypertensive effect across the full 24-h period.