A Prospective randomized open label study comparing efficacy and Tolerability of Amlodipine and Ramipril in Patients of stage I Hypertension

The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy and tolerability of amlodipine and ramipril in patients of stage I hypertension. This study included 50 patients with stage I hypertension. They were randomly divided into two groups of 25 each to receive amlodipine 5-10 mg/day and ramipril 2.5-10 mg/day. At 12 weeks, both groups showed significant (P<0.001) reduction in B.P from baseline. Mean supine SBP was reduced from 153.04±4.8 to 131.28±5.7 mm Hg (amlodipine) and 154.48±3.7 to 133.36±5.7 mm Hg (ramipril) after 12 weeks treatment (percentage difference was 14.2%, 13.6%, respectively). Mean supine DBP was reduced from 93.68±4.1 to 80.0±1.7 mm Hg (amlodipine) and 95.28±3.5 to 80.24±3.8 mm Hg (ramipril) after 12 weeks treatment (percentage difference was 14.6%, 15.7%, respectively). 03 (12%) patients experienced adverse drug reactions in group A and 04 (16%) in group B; all were mild and did not require any alteration or discontinuation of treatment. 02 (8%) subjects reported headache and 01(4%) subject ankle edema in group A. 01(4%) subject reported headache, 01 (4%) subject reported nausea, 01 (4%) subject reported mild dry cough and 01 (4%) subject reported hypotension in group B. Both drugs are equally effective and well tolerated. Keywords : Hypertension, Systolic Blood Pressure, Diastolic Blood Pressure, Amlodipine, Ramipril, Cardiovascular disease.