Antihypertensive efficacy and tolerability of enalapril and slow-release verapamil in essential hypertension: a double-blind, cross-over study

• Published in: Journal of internal medicine Vol. 230; no. 3; p. 219
• Main Authors: Fagher, B, Katzman, P, Hulthén, U L, Henningsen, N C, Thulin, T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.09.1991
• Subjects: Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Blood Pressure - drug effects; Delayed-Action Preparations; Double-Blind Method; Electrocardiography; Enalapril - adverse effects; Enalapril - therapeutic use; Female; Heart Rate - drug effects; Humans; Hypertension - blood; Hypertension - drug therapy; Hypertension - physiopathology; Male; Middle Aged; Quality of Life; Renin - blood; Single-Blind Method; Verapamil - adverse effects; Verapamil - therapeutic use
• ISSN: 0954-6820
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2796.1991.tb00434.x

The antihypertensive efficacy and tolerability of enalapril (E) and slow-release verapamil (V) were compared in a 2-month double-blind cross-over study in 22 patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension. After 1 month, significantly lower systolic (P less than 0.01) and diastolic (P less than 0.02) blood pressures (BP) were achieved with E, 20 mg d-1, compared with V, 240 mg d-1. After 2 months of treatment, BP reductions were similar after E, 40 mg d-1, and V, 240 mg twice a day. The fall in supine mean BP after 2 months of treatment with V was significantly greater in patients aged greater than or equal to 50 years of age (P = 0.02) (median 18 mmHg) than in patients aged less than 50 years (10 mmHg). E showed similar effectiveness in both age groups. Statistical group analysis of a quality-of-life questionnaire showed no significant differences between the active drugs and the placebo. It is concluded that E and V are equally effective as antihypertensive agents, and that both drugs are well tolerated.