24-hour blood pressure profiles in hypertensive patients administered ramipril or placebo once daily: magnitude and duration of antihypertensive effects. Ramipril Multicenter Study Group

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.