Comparative study of efficacy and adverse effects profile of telmisartan vs enalapril maleate in patients of essential hypertension and diabetic hypertensives

Background: Hypertension is the most common cardiovascular disease and is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Hypertension when associated with Diabetes mellitus increases this risk. To prevent this, we need appropriate antihypertensive agents with better compliance. By virtue of selective inhibition of angiotensin II type 1 receptor, telmisartan reduces blood pressure throughout the day with high tolerability. Methods: A longitudinal and interventional study was undertaken including both male and female patients within the age group of 25-55yrs with clinically diagnosed Essential hypertension and essential hypertension associated with type II diabetes mellitus. Totally 80 patients were enrolled in this study. They were divided into 2 groups i.e., Essential hypertension group as A and hypertension associated with diabetes group as B with 40 patients in each group. Again A group was divided into 2 sub-groups (A1 & A2) and B into (B1& B2) with 20 patients in each group. A1and B1 sub groups received Tab. Telmisartan 40mg once a day. A2 and B2 sub groups received tab. Enalapril maleate 5mg once daily. The total period of the study was 3 months. Results: In this study, both telmisartan and enalapril maleate reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressures in A and B groups at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks almost equally with no statistical significance. But in terms of adverse effect profile, persistent dry cough and rash was observed more in A2 and B2 group than A1 and B1 subgroups. Conclusions: Telmisartan is effective, better tolerated than enalapril for the treatment of hypertension.