Lisinopril and nifedipine: no acute interaction in normotensives

1. A double-blind, four period crossover study was undertaken to test for an interaction between single oral doses of nifedipine retard (20 mg) and lisinopril (20 mg) in normal subjects. 2. Side effects with both drugs were mild and the incidence was additive. 3. Blood pressure (BP) was lowered by nifedipine for 4 h, by lisinopril for 48 h and the combination showed simply additive effects. Standing heart rate was higher after the combination than after single treatment. 4. Plasma angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and renin activity (PRA), aldosterone, noradrenaline and adrenaline levels showed no evidence of an interaction. 5. The pharmacokinetics of lisinopril were unaltered by nifedipine and vice versa. 6. There is no evidence of a pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic interaction between single oral doses of nifedipine and lisinopril.