Quinapril versus enalapril in the treatment of mild-to-moderate essential hypertension.

Two angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, quinapril and enalapril, were evaluated for comfort, safety, and efficacy in the treatment of mild-to-moderate hypertension. After a four-week placebo period, 53 hypertensive outpatients (diastolic blood pressure, 95 to 115 mmHg), aged 31 to 66 years, were randomly assigned to received 10 to 20 mg of quinapril or enalapril daily for 12 weeks. Two hours after the first dose of each drug, sitting and standing systolic and diastolic blood pressures were reduced significantly from baseline values; these reductions were maintained for the 12 weeks of treatment, with no significant between-group differences. No changes in heart rate were noted. Treatment was discontinued in three quinapril-treated patients and in one enalapril-treated patient because of treatment side effects. It is concluded that both quinapril and enalapril are safe and effective in the treatment of mild-to-moderate hypertension.