[Monotherapy of mild to moderate hypertension. Double-blind comparative study: amlodipine versus enalapril].

METHODS: A double-blind multicenter study involving 89 patients with mild-to-moderate essential hypertension was performed to compare the efficacy and tolerability of amlodipine and enalapril. Following a placebo-controlled run-in phase, treatment was initiated with a daily dose 5 mg amlodipine or enalapril. In the second week of treatment, the daily dose of enalapril was increased to 10 mg. After two weeks of treatment, the amlodipine dose was increased from 5 to 10 mg, the enalapril dose from 10 to 20 mg if the diastolic seated blood pressure exceeded 90 mmHg. RESULTS: Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures decreased in the amlodipine group from, respectively, 158 +/- 17/101 +/- 6 mmHg to 142 +/- 14/87 +/- 11 mmHg, and in the enalapril group from 157 +/- 15/102 +/- 5 mmHg to 140 +/- 16/88 +/- 12 mmHg. The reduction in blood pressure was statistically significant in both groups (p < 0.0001), but the difference in blood pressure lowering effect of the two treatments was not statistically significant. The target blood pressure (diastolic BP seated < 90 mmHg) was achieved in 24 patients (75%) in the amlodipine group, and 23 patients (68%) in the enalapril group. Neither group experienced any severe adverse reactions. Side effects were seen in 3 patients of the amlodipine group and in 6 of the enalapril group.