[A quinapril-hydrochlorothiazide combination in the treatment of essential arterial hypertension]

This open, non-controlled study was planned to investigate efficacy and tolerability of fixed combination quinapril 20 mg plus hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg for treatment of mild-to-moderate essential hypertension. One hundred and fifty seven patients, with diastolic pressure ranging 105-119 mmHg, were enrolled after two weeks wash-out; during this period patients received placebo. After placebo phase, patients received one tablet/day of fixed combination for six weeks: at the end of this period patients were classified as "responder" (lowering of pressure = or > 10 mmHg) or "non responder"; "non responder" were planned to receive two tablets/day while "responder" maintained the former posology. Patients were reexamined after four weeks: "non responder" were dropped out while "responder" maintained the actual posology. Study was performed in fourteen weeks totally; at the end of this period fourteen patients were classified as "non responder". The fixed combination quinapril 20 mg plus hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg can be considered a valid drug for the treatment of mild-to-moderate hypertension.