Related Experiment Videos
Cross-over comparison between captopril and nifedipine
W W Klein1, W Stuhlinger, G Mahr
1Department of Int. Medicine, University Hospital, Graz, Austria.
Postgraduate Medical Journal
|January 1, 1986
Summary
Captopril and nifedipine show similar effectiveness for hypertension treatment. Nifedipine offers a higher response rate, while captopril has fewer side effects, with no significant additive benefit from combining them.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Essential hypertension is a common condition requiring effective treatment.
- Monotherapy with antihypertensive drugs may not be sufficient for all patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the antihypertensive efficacy and side effect profiles of captopril and nifedipine.
- To evaluate the efficacy of combining captopril and nifedipine in non-responders to monotherapy.
Main Methods:
- A cross-over study involving 26 patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension.
- Patients received captopril (25 mg b.i.d.), nifedipine (20 mg b.i.d.), or a combination of both drugs.
Main Results:
- Captopril and nifedipine demonstrated comparable antihypertensive efficacy in both acute and chronic administration.
- Nifedipine showed a slightly higher response rate, but captopril was associated with significantly fewer side effects.
- Treatment discontinuation due to side effects occurred in 3 nifedipine patients, 1 captopril patient, and 1 patient on combination therapy.
- No significant additive antihypertensive effect was observed with the combination therapy.
Conclusions:
- Captopril and nifedipine are effective monotherapies for mild to moderate essential hypertension.
- Nifedipine may offer a higher response rate, but captopril is better tolerated.
- Combination therapy with captopril and nifedipine did not provide significant additional benefits in this study population.