An open 4 week study for evaluating the efficacy of Tenormin (100 mg 'Atenolol' once daily) with or without chlorthalidone was carried out in 52 hypertensive patients with uncomplicated mild to moderately severe essential hypertension. A tablet count at the end of study enabled patient compliance to be judged. Of the 52 patients, 41 completed the study; 8 patients were lost to follow up and in 3 drug had to be withdrawn because of side effects. A statistically significant fall in systolic and

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... astolic blood pressure was observed in 15 patients taking Tenormin alone and in 26 when combined with Chlorthalidone. 84% patients showed fair or excellent compliance to therapy over this short period. 5 of 44 patients taking the drug suffered from side effects which included gastrointestinal disturbances (2), skin rash (1), retrosternal discomfort (1) and numbness of hands and feet (1) (JPMA 34 : 13, 1984).