Effect of irbesartan versus enalapril in treatment of mild-to-moderate hypertension

Objective:To assess the effect of irbesartan versus enalapril in patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension.Methods:A randomized,single-blind parallel arm clinical study enrolled 70 patients with sitting diastolic blood pressure (SDBP)90 mmHg,who were randomly 1∶1 to receive either irbesartan 150 mg once daily or enalapril 10 mg once daily for 8 weeks after one-week wash out period.At the end of the 4-week of the therapy,hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg/day was added onto the patients who still had a SDBP more than 90 mmHg.Results:Irbesartan vs.enalapril significantly reduced mean sitting systolic blood pressure(SSBP) and SDBP of 12.0% vs.12.3% and 15.5% vs.13.9%,respectively.The efficacy rate of irbesartan and enalapril was 73.5% vs.67.6%(P0.05).The incidence rate of overall adverse events showed no statistical difference in both groups except cough(14% for enalapril vs.3% for irbesartan).Conclusion:Irbesartan was therapeutically equivalent to enalapril in the treatment of mild to moderate hypertension.