Thiazide diuretics: first or second agent for patients with hypertension.

The article focuses on the role of thiazide diuretics in the treatment for patients with hypertension. Skeptics argue that other antihypertensives are equal to thiazides. However, thiazides are the least expensive agents. This aspect of therapy supports thiazides as first-line pharmacotherapy. The JNC7 recommended starting with 2 agents for patients far from their blood pressure goal. Therefore, even if a thiazide is not the initial agent, it should be the second agent for most patients.