Assessment of Safety and Efficacy of Vitamin C Along With Telmisartan in Mild to Moderate Hypertensive Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Introduction: Hypertension is a worldwide health problem and one of the preventable cause of heart disease and stroke. Uncontrolled
hypertension can result in a myocardial infarction, left ventricular hypertrophy, and ultimately heart failure. During oxidative stressful
condition like hypertension, Vitamin C an important antioxidant, that is effective in trapping oxygen-derived free radicals and lowers
the blood pressure.
Objectives: To assess the efficacy and safety of supplementing vitamin C to telmisartan as a treatment in mild to moderate hypertension
patients to reduce blood pressure.
Materials And Methods: An open label, randomised, prospective study, participants were enrolled in one of two groups. A total of 110
participants were randomized into 2 groups in which group 1 has 55 participants who received Tab.Vitamin C 500mg OD along with
Tab.Telmisartan 40 mg OD and the next 55 participants were into group 2 who received only Tab.Telmisartan 40 mg OD. The
participants were followed for 16 weeks and they were asked to visit us at week 1, week 9, and week 16 during which their blood
pressures were monitored and noted.
Results: In this study, the average baseline Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was 154.36 mm Hg in group - 1 (Tab.Vitamin C with
Tab.Telmisartan) and 152.11 mm Hg was in group 2 (Tab.Telmisartan), and the Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was approximately
94.36 mm Hg - group 1 and 93.67mm Hg - group 2. During the last visit i.e.,16th week, the average SBP decreased significantly in
group 1 (132.98 mm Hg) than group 2 (144.33 mm Hg) and the DBP showed significant reduction in group 1(75.93mm Hg) than group
2 (85mm Hg).
Conclusion: Vitamin C when it is given as an add on therapy to telmisartan it shows significant reduction in blood pressure.