Comparative study of the efficacy and tolerance of capozide and moduretic administered in a single daily dose for the treatment of chronic moderate arterial hypertension.

A comparative study was made of the effects of a new therapeutic agent consisting of 50 mg captopril and 25 mg hydrochlorothiazide (Capozide) with an already existing agent Moduretic (50 mg hydrochlorothiazide and 5 mg amiloride). In the Capozide group (32 patients), 20 achieved normal blood pressure, 8 responded but were not brought under control, and 3 were non-responders. In the Moduretic group (31 patients), 17 achieved normal blood pressure, 10 were partially controlled and 4 were non-responders. Moduretic appeared to be most effective in patients previously untreated or who had been taking only one drug, while Capozide controlled patients who had been taking 1 or 2 antihypertensive drugs which had been either ineffective or poorly tolerated. The long-acting effect of a single dose of Capozide was demonstrated by blood pressure measurements taken at least 10 hours later. Both drugs were generally well tolerated and no significant changes were observed in the laboratory measurements. The combination of an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor with a diuretic proved more effective than single agents in lowering raised blood pressure. We therefore conclude that Capozide is an effective alternative to traditional medication in the treatment of moderate hypertension.