Moexipril versus captopril in patients with mild to moderate hypertension

Moexipril is a new, long-acting angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. In contrast to captopril, it is a prodrug of the pharmacologically active agent moexiprilat and will be administered once daily. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of moexipril with that of captopril during a 12-week treatment of patients with mild to moderate hypertension. Patients with a sitting diastolic blood pressure (SDBP) of 95-114 mm Hg, inclusive, were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive moexipril, 7.5 mg, once daily or captopril, 25 mg, twice daily. After 6 weeks of treatment, the dose of moexipril and captopril was increased to 15 mg once daily and 50 mg twice daily, respectively, if the patient's SDBP remained > or = 90 mm Hg. Blood pressure was measured at biweekly visits. At study endpoint, adjusted mean reductions in SDBP were comparable between the moexipril and captopril groups (-9.8 vs. -8.7 mm Hg), and moexipril was more effective than captopril in reducing sitting systolic blood pressure. Adverse experiences (headache, dizziness, and upper respiratory infection) occurred at similar frequencies in the moexipril and in the captopril groups. The data indicate that moexipril at dosages of 7.5 and 15 mg once daily is as efficacious as twice daily captopril in reducing blood pressure in patients with mild to moderate hypertension.