Assessment of antihypertensive efficacy of perindopril: results of double-blind multicenter studies versus reference drugs.

Perindopril (4 mg) was compared to atenolol (50 mg), captopril (25 mg b.i.d.), or a diuretic (hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg and amiloride 5 mg) in three studies involving a total of 503 hypertensive patients with diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 95-125 mm Hg. A 4-week single-blind placebo period preceded 12 weeks of active treatment. Dose titration was at weeks 4 and 8 if the supine DBP was >90 mm Hg. The dose was doubled and, if necessary, a diuretic was added in atenolol or captopril comparison and atenolol added in the diuretic study