Chlorthalidone or Hydrochlorothiazide: Does It Make a Difference?

Some study findings suggest that chlorthalidone is more effective than hydrochlorothiazide for hypertension treatment. To compare the effectiveness and safety of the two drugs in older individuals, investigators conducted a propensity-matched, observational cohort study in Ontario residents aged 66 or older who began diuretic treatment with chlorthalidone (10,384 patients) or hydrochlorothiazide (19,489 patients).

Median follow-up duration was 255 days for chlorthalidone and 398 days for hydrochlorothiazide. The rate of the primary outcome — a composite of death and hospitalization for myocardial infarction, heart failure, or stroke — was 3.2 events per 100 person-years in chlorthalidone recipients and 3.4 events per 100 person-years in hydr…