A Randomized, Double-Blind, Active Comparator Study to Evaluate the Antihypertensive Efficacy and Safety of Losartan/HCTZ Combination as Compared to Losartan Monotherapy in Pediatric Patients With Essential Hypertension

To evaluate the antihypertensive efficacy (as assessed by change in mean trough SiSBP) after 4 weeks of treatment with losartan/HCTZ combination therapy in comparison with losartan monotherapy in pediatric patients (defined as children aged 6-17 years who have the ability to swallow tablets) with essential hypertension (defined as patients ? the 95th percentile for SBP or DBP for gender/age/height) who are not adequately controlled following a 6-week single-blind losartan treatment (filter) period.