Double-Blind, Randomised Study of Fosinopril vs Nifedipine SR in the Treatment of Mild-to-Moderate Hypertension in Elderly Patients

Abstract

The efficacy and tolerability of fosinopril, a new angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor with dual and compensatory hepatic and renal routes of elimination, were evaluated in a comparative double-blind study of elderly patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension. After a 2-week withdrawal period, 104 patients were randomised to receive fosinopril 10mg once daily or sustained release (SR) nifedipine 20mg twice daily for 8 weeks. The 2 regimens had comparable antihypertensive activity. Each significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure after 2 weeks (p < 0.001); blood pressure declined further after 4 weeks (p < 0.01) and was maintained at this or a lower level for the remaining 4 weeks. The incidence of adverse drug experiences was higher in the nifedipine SR group (40%) than in the fosinopril group (27%). The results of this study suggest that the antihypertensive effects of fosinopril and nifedipine SR are similar in elderly patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension and that fosinopril may be better tolerated.