[The effect of a homeopathic drug on the blood pressure of hypertensive patients--a randomised double-blind controlled parallel group comparative trial].

Pumpan in a dosage of 3 x 10 drops daily over 6 weeks does not differ in its effect on systolic and diastolic blood pressure significantly from placebo. The tolerance was excellent: not one single patient had to be withdrawn from the study due to side effects. Blood lipids (cholesterol, HDL-, LDL-cholesterol and triglyzerides) did not change, neither in the placebo nor in the verum group.

Regression of left ventricular mass in hypertensive patients treated with perindopril/indapamide as a first-line combination: the REASON echocardiography study.

Background: Increase in left ventricular mass (LVM) may be linked to morbidity and mortality in hypertensive patients. Arterial stiffness, systolic blood pressure (BP), and pulse pressure (PP) seem to be the main determinants of LVM. The perindopril/indapamide combination normalizes systolic BP, PP, and arterial function to a greater extent than atenolol.

[Hypertension 2004].

During the past year the upper limit for normal blood pressure has been lowered, but the relevant societies only give the mean values without taking the high blood pressure variability into account. For statistical reasons and for practical purposes, blood pressure should be measured often and therefore by the individual him/herself. In this respect the situation is far from being ideal, and not just in Austria.

Twenty-four-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring efficacy of perindopril/indapamide first-line combination in hypertensive patients: the REASON study.

Background: Circadian blood pressure (BP) measurements provide more information on hypertensive complications than office BP measurements. The purpose of this study was to analyze the efficacy of the first-line combination of perindopril 2 mg plus indapamide 0.625 mg versus atenolol 50 mg on BP parameters and variability over 24 h in patients with hypertension.

[Information regarding adverse drug effects and treatment indications ("package inserts") exemplified by cervistatin (Lipobay)].

A worldwide frequently applied HMG-CoA-reductase-inhibitor ("statin") recently has been withdrawn from the market. This obviously has been caused by serious adverse events. The question is whether the package inserts sufficiently inform about the risks.