Efficacy and safety of imidapril in patients with essential hypertension: A double-blind comparison with captopril

In this 12-week, double-blind, parallel-group, comparative trial, 57 adult patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension were randomly allocated to rece ive imidapril or captopril, initially at a dose of 5 mg once a day and 25 m g twice daily, respectively. After 4 weeks of therapy, the dose of each dru g was increased twice if diastolic blood pressure (DBP) remained greater th an or equal to 90 mm Hg. Both treatments effectively lowered DBP in a compa rable manner. Mean changes from baseline in DBP at 12 weeks were -9.9 mm Hg for imidapril and -8.8 mm Hg for captopril (p = 0.488). Responder rates in patients receiving active treatment for at least 6 weeks were 53.9% for im idapril and 48% for captopril (p = 0.676). Both treatments were well tolera ted. Adverse drug reactions were observed in 20.7% (6/29) of the imidapril group and 46.4% (13/28) of the captopril group (p < 0.05). A cough was the most frequent side effect, reported in 13.8% of the imidapril group and 35. 7% of the captopril group. The results indicate that imidapril is as effect ive as captopril in the treatment of hypertension. Imidapril produces less adverse effects compared with captopril. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, B asel.