Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness and tolerance of the association of captopril 50 mg and hydrochlorithiazide 25 mg in hypertensive patients with diastolic pressure between 95 and 115 mmHg.
Methods: An open, multicenter and non-comparative study was performed. After 2 weeks of placebo, the patients received 1/2 tablet of drug association. Patients were evaluated after 4, 8 and 12 weeks, and those who had diastolic pressure > 90 mmHg after 8 weeks of therapy received 1 tablet/day.
Results: The results of 433 patients were analyzed: 47 +/- 10 years old, 30% female, 76% white. Initial systolic and diastolic pressures were 156 +/- 16 and 103 +/- 11 mmHg and after 14 days of placebo were 156 +/- 15 and 103 +/- 9 mmHg (p > 0.05). Systolic/diastolic pressure after 4, 8 and 12 weeks of treatment reduced progressively (p < 0.05) to 143 +/- 14/95 +/- 11, 140 +/- 13/91 +/- 9 and 134 +/- 11/86 +/- 8 mmHg. Blood pressure control was observed in 45, 67 and 88% (p < 0.05) of patients after 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Cough was the most important symptom, registered in 7% of patients under placebo and 12% in patients under treatment. The tolerance was considered good for 98% of patients.
Conclusion: The association of captopril with hydrochlorothiazide is effective with good tolerance, being indicated as a once a day monotherapy for mild and moderate hypertension.