Acute Effects of the New Angiotensin‐Converting Enzyme Inhibitor Cilazapril: A Pilot Study

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Abstract
This study assesses the magnitude and duration of action of three different oral doses of the new orally active angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor RO 312848 (cilazapril, Hoffman‐LaRoche, Nutley, NJ) on blood pressure and plasma ACE levels. Twelve hypertensive patients were separated into two groups: Group A (n = 6) received two single daily doses of 5 and 10 mg, each preceded and followed by two placebo days, and Group B (n = 6) received 10 and 20 mg on an identical protocol. The onset and duration of an appreciable blood pressure lowering effect were at 2 hours and at least for 12 hours, respectively, whereas suppression of ACE levels occurred at 1 hour and lasted for more than 72 hours. Response of these two parameters was partial after 5 mg, but was maximal after 10 mg and did not increase further with the 20‐mg dose. A 5–10 mg dose daily may be sufficient to maintain chronic blood pressure control with this agent, but long‐term dose trials are necessary to establish its clinical utility.