Mulicentre study on once daily ramipril in Thai hypertensives.

ABSTRACT

One hundred and one mild to moderate hypertensive patients were given ramipril 2.5 mg once daily in an open study carried out in 10 hospitals from different parts of Thailand. Eighty-five patients completed the study. Mean sitting and supine blood pressures from the 85 patients were significantly reduced after 3 weeks treatment with ramipril, reductions being 12/9 mmHg (p<0.001) and 9/7 mmHg (p<0.001) respectively. Thirty six out of these patients who received the initial dose of 2.5 mg ramipril achieved target blood pressure (sitting diastolic blood pressure of <90 mmHg) at week 3. Continuation of treatment for another 3 weeks resulted in no further reduction of blood pressure. Forty nine patients needed dose-adjustment to 5 mg for the second 3 weeks and this adjustment resulted in further significant decreases in both sitting and supine blood pressure (17/10 mmHg, p<0.001 and 13/10 mmHg, p<0.001 respectively). No significant change in pulse rates and laboratory parameters were observed. No adverse events of clinical significance were reported in 95 patients except cough which was found in 4 patients and headache, dizziness and insomnia in only 3 patients. In conclusion, ramipril given once daily was found to be safe and effective in the treatment of mild to moderate hypertension in Thai adults.