[Comparison of the antihypertensive activity of fosinopril and irbesartan].
OBJECTIVE
To compare the antihypertensive effect of two daily single dose drugs acting on the renin-angiotensin axis by two different ways.


METHODS
Thirty patients were randomized to receive either irbesartan (150 mg once daily) (n = 15, mean age 65.2 +/- 8.7 years, 9 men and 6 women) or fosinopril (20 mg once daily) (n = 15, mean age 57.4 +/- 11.5 years, 4 men and 11 women, difference are not significant) during 12 weeks. When needed, hydroclorothiazide (12.5 mg) was added to treatment to improve hypotensive response.


RESULTS
A reduction of SBP and DBP was observed in both treatment groups throughout the study. In order to obtain further BP reduction, hydrochlorothiazide was added to 6 patients with inadequate BP response at the 4th week (3 patients in the irbesartan group) and 8th week (2 patients in irbesartan group and 1 patient in fosinopril group). SBP was reduced in irbesartan group from 157.7 +/- 11.2 to 131.0 +/- 8.7 mmHg (12th week, p < 0.001). DBP decreases from 94.1 +/- 5.6 to 82.7 +/- 4.2 mmHg (p < 0.001). In fosinopril group SBP was reduced from 147.9 +/- 11.7 to 132.2 +/- 12.4 mmHg (p < 0.001) and DBP decreases from 92.3 +/- 6.3 to 84.0 +/- 5.4 mmHg (p < 0.001). Final between group differences in BP are not significant. Final BP reduction in irbesartan group (26.7 +/- 11.6 mmHg) was bigger than that obtained in fosinopril group (15.6 +/- 11.6 mmHg, p = 0.011). BP reduction was significant in fosinopril group from the first month (SBP 140.7 +/- 12.2, p = 0.021; DBP 87.2 +/- 6.2, p = 0.003). In irbesartan group BP reduction was not significant until the second month (SBP 135.5 +/- 10.4, p < 0.001; DBP 85.3 +/- 4.3, p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Fosinopril and irbesartan seems to be equally effective to reduce DBP. Irbesartan might have higher effectiveness on systolic blood pressure. Irbesartan act more gradually than fosinopril and this may be useful to prevent from acute blood pressure falls.
Angulo
E
E
Servicio de Medicina Interna, Centro de Salud Anexo I, Hospital Infanta Cristina, Badajoz. nroblesp@meditex.es
Robles
N R
NR
Grois
J
J
Barquero
A
A
Pérez Miranda
M
M
D000368:Aged; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D017328:Fosinopril / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000077405:Irbesartan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000187:drug effects*; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D013777:Tetrazoles; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide; D000077405:Irbesartan; D017328:Fosinopril