Double-blind comparison of eprosartan and enalapril on cough and blood pressure in unselected hypertensive patients. Eprosartan Study Group.
The effects of a new angiotensin receptor antagonist, eprosartan (200 or 300 mg b.i.d.) and enalapril (5-20 mg u.i.d.) on cough and blood pressure were compared in a 26-week, double-blind, randomised, parallel-group, multicentre, international study involving 528 patients with hypertension. Uptitration of doses was based on clinic blood pressure measurements during the first 12 weeks, after which hydrochlorothiazide (12.5-25 mg/day) could be added. The frequency and intensity of cough was assessed by a standardised questionnaire administered at each clinic visit. The primary end-point was the incidence of persistent, dry cough not due to upper respiratory infection; change in sitting diastolic blood pressure and overall incidence of cough were secondary end-points. During the first 12 weeks of double-blind therapy, enalapril treatment was associated with a 3.45-fold higher risk of definite cough (14/261 vs 4/259, P = 0.018). Overall cough incidence (from spontaneous reports from patients, or investigator's observation) was also more frequent with enalapril, as compared to eprosartan. Both agents reduced blood pressure significantly compared to baseline, although the eprosartan-treated group had a slightly higher response rate (defined as sitting diastolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg, or at least a 10 mm Hg reduction from baseline), both at end of titration (70.3% vs 62.6%, P < 0.05) and after 26 weeks (81.7% vs 73.5%, P= 0.018). These data suggest that, in unselected hypertensive patients, eprosartan is associated with less cough and a somewhat higher responder rate than enalapril.
Rush Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Department of Preventive Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
W J
WJ
Elliott
D000179:Acrylates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D003371:Cough / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D004232:Diuretics; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004656:Enalapril / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013876:Thiophenes; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000179:Acrylates; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D004232:Diuretics; D007093:Imidazoles; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors; D013876:Thiophenes; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide; C068373:eprosartan; D004656:Enalapril