MOEXIPRIL VERSUS CAPTOPRIL IN PATIENTS WITH MILD-TO-MODERATE HYPERTENSION

Moexipril is a new, long-acting angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in hibitor. In contrast to captopril, it is a prodrug of the pharmacologi cally active agent moexiprilat and will be administered once daily. Th e objective of this study was to compare the efficacy, safety, and tol erability of moexipril with that of captopril during a 12-week treatme nt of patients with mild to moderate hypertension. Patients with a sit ting diastolic blood pressure (SDBP) of 95-114 mm Hg, inclusive, were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive moexipril, 7.5 mg, once daily or captopril, 25 mg, twice daily. After 6 weeks of treatment, the dose of moexipril and captopril was increased to 15 mg once daily and 50 mg t wice daily, respectively, if the patient's SDBP remained greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg. Blood pressure was measured at biweekly visits. At study endpoint, adjusted mean reductions in SDBP were comparable be tween the moexipril and captopril groups (-9.8 vs. -8.7 mm Hg), and mo exipril was more effective than captopril in reducing sitting systolic blood pressure. Adverse experiences (headache, dizziness, and upper r espiratory infection) occurred at similar frequencies in the moexipril and in the captopril groups. The data indicate that moexipril at dosa ges of 7.5 and 15 mg once daily is as efficacious as twice daily capto pril in reducing blood pressure in patients with mild to moderate hype rtension.