Lisinopril in essential hypertension: a six month comparative study with nifedipine

The antihypertensive efficacy and tolerability of lisinopril, a new long acting angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, and nifedipine, in a retard formulation, were compared in a randomized six month double-blind study, in 45 patients with essential hypertension. Lisinopril, 20 to 80 mg once daily and nifedipine retard, 20 to 40 mg twice daily, were equally effective in lowering blood pressure and controlling hypertension. There were however significantly more adverse effects (P less than 0.01) reported with nifedipine. No significant differences were observed between groups for laboratory values, although the lisinopril group showed a significant reduction in urinary protein excretion compared to baseline values. Lisinopril and nifedipine have equal efficacy in the treatment of essential hypertension but in this study lisinopril was better tolerated than nifedipine.