Efficacy and Tolerability of Olmesartan, Telmisartan, and Losartan in Patients of Stage I Hypertension: A Randomized, Open-label Study

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the efficacy and tolerability of losartan, telmisartan, and olmesartan as antihypertensive agents and evaluate and compare their effects on lipid profile and blood glucose.

Materials and methods: This was a randomized, open-label, parallel-group, comparative study conducted in sixty patients of Stage I hypertension. The eligible patients were randomly allocated into three treatment groups: (1) Tablet olmesartan (20 mg), (2) Tablet telmisartan (40 mg), and (3) Tablet losartan (50 mg). Blood pressure (BP) was assessed at an interval of 2 weeks for 3 months. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) and lipid profile were estimated at baseline and then at 12 weeks.

Results: Olmesartan and telmisartan were more efficacious than losartan in reducing diastolic BP (DBP). There was a statistically significant decrease in mean blood glucose level (P < 0.02) after 12 weeks of treatment in telmisartan group when compared to baseline. Serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoproteins decreased significantly after 12-week treatment with olmesartan and telmisartan.

Conclusions: The most efficacious drug in reducing BP is Olmesartan whereas telmisartan and losartan show equal efficacy. Telmisartan shows the most favorable effects on FBG and lipid profile.

Keywords: Angiotensin II receptor blockers; peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma; systolic blood pressure.

Figure 1

Study flowchart

Figure 2

Comparison of reduction in diastolic and systolic blood pressure in treatment groups after 12 weeks. #P < 0.0001 when compared with losartan group; $P < 0.0001 when compared with telmisartan group; ΦP < 0.001 when compared with losartan group; ΨP < 0.01 when compared with losartan group