Drospirenone/E2 reduces BP in postmenopausal women with hypertension

Hormonal therapy with drospirenone plus estradiol (E?) lowers blood pressure and spares potassium in postmenopausal women on hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). So say results of a small randomized, placebo-controlled trial presented at the 17th annual NAMS meeting.

Hormonal therapy with drospirenone plus estradiol (E2) lowers blood pressure and spares potassium in postmenopausal women on hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). So say results of a small randomized, placebo-controlled trial presented at the 17th annual NAMS meeting.

Thirty-six women taking 25 mg/d of HCTZ for stage 1 hypertension were included in the crossover study, conducted by investigators from the University of Miami and Berlex Laboratories. The participants were randomized to 3 mg drospirenone/E2 or placebo for 4 weeks and then crossed over for another 4 weeks.

Drospirenone/E2 reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 7.2 mm Hg and 4.5 mm Hg, respectively, and potassium was 0.2 mEq/L higher than with placebo. The only significant adverse effects of the hormonal therapy were vaginal bleeding and breast tenderness.