Antihypertensive Efficacy and Safety of Approved Drugs in Japanese Patients With Essential Hypertension (Banyu Study)(0954A-302)

A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Parallel Study of the Anti-Hypertensive Efficacy and Safety of Losartan Monotherapy as Compared to HCTZ Monotherapy and to the Combination of Losartan and HCTZ in Japanese Patients With Essential Hypertension

The purpose of this study is to evaluate antihypertensive (lowering blood pressure) effectiveness of three combinations of approved study drugs compared to both study drugs being given alone.

The duration of treatment is 3.5 months.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Japanese ancestry
• Stable high blood pressure defined by the study criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant or nursing
• Significant concurrent kidney, liver, blood, or other disease
• Recent heart attack or heart surgery
• History of stroke, severe hypertension (high blood pressure), significant heart failure or cardiac arrhythmias
• Significant lab abnormalities
• Uncontrolled blood sugar
• History of certain drug allergies