The influence of food intake on pharmacodynamics and plasma concentration of captopril.

The influence of food intake on the acute haemodynamic and humoral effects of captopril has been investigated. Eighteen patients with mild-to-moderate essential hypertension (diastolic blood pressure 95-115 mmHg) were treated in a randomized crossover study with a single oral dose of 25 mg captopril after 2 weeks of placebo. They were randomized to receive captopril either 1 h before or together with a standardized breakfast. Blood pressure, heart rate and plasma concentrations of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin II (ANG II) and captopril were measured before and every 30 min up to 4 h after drug administration. Angiotensin converting enzyme was significantly more suppressed and plasma concentrations of captopril were significantly higher when the drug was given in the fasting patients. However, there was no significant difference in blood pressure reduction whether captopril was administered in the fasting patients or together with food. The results indicate that the antihypertensive efficacy of captopril is not markedly affected when the drug is administered with food.