A Long‐term Follow‐up of Patients with Essential Hypertension Treated with Captopril

Abstract

Seventy-four patients from 4 short-term studies of captopril in mild-moderate essential hypertension continued in a cooperative long-term efficacy and tolerance program. The duration of observation is 2-> 4 yr, the total treatment time being 24-34 mo. No development of resistance to therapy was observed. The total daily dose of captopril has been gradually decreased and in 20 patients changed from t.i.d [3 times a day] to b.i.d. (twice a day) regime. The drug was well tolerated and only few and mild side-effects were observed after the initial titration period. The drop-outs (n = 19) were mostly due to non-medical causes (n = 14). Except for 1 case of proteinuria, no laboratory abnormalities were detected and there were no signs of long-term toxicity.