24‐hour blood pressure profiles in hypertensive patients administered ramipril or placebo once daily: Magnitude and duration of antihypertensive effects

Abstract

Ramipril is a new, potent nonsulfhydryl inhibitor of angiotensin converting enzyme. The magnitude and duration of its antihypertensive effect were evaluated in a multicenter, placebo‐controlled, randomized clinical trial conducted in 100 patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension. Ramipril significantly reduced both supine and standing blood pressures measured 24 h after dosing. Automated blood pressure monitoring showed that ramipril significantly reduced systolic and diastolic pressures for 24 h after dosing. The peak effect occurred between 3 and 6 h after dosing, with approximately 50% of this effect retained after 24 h. Ramipril was well tolerated; there was no significant difference between active drug and placebo in the overall incidence of side effects. Ramipril is an effective and well‐tolerated antihypertensive agent, which reduces both supine and standing blood pressure over the entire 24‐h period after dosing.