COMPARISON OF MOEXIPRIL, A NEW ACE-INHIBITOR, TO VERAPAMIL-SR AS ADD-ON THERAPY TO LOW-DOSE HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE IN HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS

The antihypertensive effects of moexipril, a new angiotensin convertin g enzyme inhibitor, and verapamil-SR as add-on therapy to hydrochlorot hiazide (HCTZ) were investigated in patients with moderate to severe ( stages II and III) essential hypertension. Of 147 patients treated for 4 weeks with 25 mg/day HCTZ, 108 whose sitting diastolic blood pressu re (SDBP) was 100 to 114 mm Hg inclusive were randomized to 7.5 mg/day moexipril (56 patients) and 180 mg/day verapamil-SR (52 patients) in addition to 25 mg/day HCTZ. If after 4 weeks of treatment the SDBP was greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg, the dose of moexipril was increase d to 15 mg/day and that of verapamil-SR increased to 240 mg/day; the p atients were followed for an additional 8 weeks. Blood chemistries, pl asma renin activity, and plasma aldosterone were done during the study . Both moexipril and verapamil-SR were safe and well tolerated and dec reased the sitting and standing blood pressure similarly (P < .001). T his study demonstrated that the addition of moexipril and verapamil-SR to low dose HCTZ is effective for the treatment of moderate to severe hypertension.