Patients who developed adverse effects either prior to or after achieving the effective diuretic step
| Group A (n = 50) | Group B (n = 50) | p Value | |
| Number of patients who developed adverse effects | 19 (38%) | 10 (20%) | <0.05 |
| Number of patients with hyperkalaemia | 9 (18%) | 2 (4%) | <0.05 |
| Number of patients with hypokalaemia | 1 (2%) | 0 (0%) | NS |
| Number of patients with hyponatraemia | 4 (8%) | 4 (8%) | NS |
| Number of patients with renal failure | 8 (16%) | 6 (12%) | NS |
In Group A three patients had two adverse effects simultaneously (renal failure and hyperkalaemia in one patient, and renal failure and hyponatraemia in the remaining two patients). In Group B two patients had two adverse effects simultaneously (renal failure and hyponatraemia in both patients).