A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Forced-titration, Phase IV Study Comparing Telmisartan 80 mg + Hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg Versus Valsartan 160 mg + Hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg Taken Orally for Eight Weeks in Patients With Stage 1 or Stage 2 Hypertension.
A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Forced-titration, Phase IV Study Comparing Telmisartan 80 mg + Hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg Versus Valsartan 160 mg + Hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg Taken Orally for Eight Weeks in Patients With Stage 1 or Stage 2 Hypertension.
The primary objective of this study is to compare the effectiveness of telmisartan 80 mg / hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg [Micardis HCT] to valsartan 160 mg / hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg [Diovan HCT] and placebo in the treatment of Stage 1 and Stage 2 hypertension.
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
Pre-menopausal women (last menstruation ? 1 year prior to start of run-in period) who:
Known or suspected secondary hypertension.
Mean seated SBP >= 180 mmHg or mean seated DBP >= 120 mmHg during any clinic visit prior to randomization.
Hepatic and/or renal dysfunction as defined by the following laboratory parameters:
Bilateral renal artery stenosis, renal artery stenosis in a solitary kidney, post-renal transplant or with only one kidney.
Clinically relevant hypokalemia or hyperkalemia.
Uncorrected volume depletion.
Uncorrected sodium depletion.
Primary aldosteronism.
Hereditary fructose intolerance.
Biliary obstructive disorders, cholestatis or moderate to severe hepatic in sufficiency.
Patients who have previously experienced symptoms characteristic of angioedema during treatment with ACE inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor antagonists.
History of drug or alcohol dependency within six months prior to start of run-in period.
Chronic administration of any medications known to affect blood pressure, exc
Tulsa, California, United States