Indapamide - a substitute diuretic for hypertensives with hyperglycemia and/or dyslipidemia

Diuretics are among the first drugs offered to the hypertensive patient. However, they can induce metabolic changes resulting in cardiovascular insult. Especially noteworthy are increased levels of glucose and lipids. Indapamide is a diuretic and vasodilator that does not raise blood glucose or lipid levels. We therefore investigated its use as a substitute diuretic in patients whose treatment had resulted in hyperglycemia and/or hyperlipidemia. In 24 hypertensives, indapamide, 2.5 mg daily, replaced the diuretic therapy they were receiving. Blood pressure, blood glucose, hemoglobin A1C and lipid profile were measured before and every month during the 6 months of indapamide treatment. Replacement of diuretics with indapamide significantly reduced blood glucose from 148 ± 53 mg/dl to 127 ± 37, p=0.05; HbA1C from 8.42 ± 0.4 mg/dl to 7.7 ± 2.0, p=0.05; total cholesterol from 253 ± 45 mg/dl to 228 ± 43, p<0.05; and triglycerides from 224 ± 145 mg/dl to 176 ± 91, p<0.05. Blood pressure was better controlled with indapamide than with previous medications. It was reduced from an average of 155 ± 1 systolic and 89 ± 8 diastolic (mm Hg), to 142 ± 13 and 83 ± 7, respectively, p<0.05. We conclude that indapamide is safe and effective in lowering blood pressure and contributes to better control of blood glucose and lipid levels in diabetic and dyslipidemic patients, compared to standard diuretics.