Enalapril and Atenolol Show Similar Antihypertensive Efficacy In patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension

In a multicentre double-blind study, 180 patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension (diastolic BP 95-115mm Hg) randomly received enalapril 10-40mg once daily (n = 86) or atenolol 50-100mg (94) once daily for 2 years after a placebo run-in period. Dosages of medications were increased every 2 weeks to achieve goal BP (a reduction in diastolic BP to < 90mm Hg) or until development of adverse effects precluded further increase.

Sitting BP vVas reduced from 156/101 to 139/90 and 142/90mm Hg after 10 and 14 weeks of therapy respectively , in patients who received enalapril and from 157/101 to 139/89 and 140/88mm Hg in patients who received atenolol.

After a treatment period of 10-14 weeks, 77% of patients in the enalapril treatment group and 79% of the atenolol-treated group had achieved the goal BP. Similar compliance was reported in both the treatment groups , Although adverse effects were experienced by 30 enalapril-treated patients and by 45 patients treated with atenolol , this difference was not statistically significant. Enalapril and atenolol appear to exhibit ' . .. a similar therapeutic profile . .. ' and enalapril monotherapy could be considered as an alternative treatment of patients with mild to moderate essent ial hypertension in whom therapy with ,8-blockers or diuretics is contraindicated, The Canadian Enalapril Study Group Canadian Medical ASSOCiation Journal 137: 803·808 , 1 Nov 1987

8 INPHARMAe 21 November 1987 0156-2703/ 87/ 1121-0008/ 0$01 .00/ 0 © ADIS Press