A comparison of valsartan and perindopril in the treatment of essential hypertension in the Malaysian population

This study was conducted to determine the tolerability and efficacy of valsartan (DIOVAN) compared to perindopril (COVERSYL) in Malaysian patients with mild to moderate hypertension. Two hundred and fifty adult Malaysian patients with a mean sitting diastolic blood pressure of more than 95 mmHg and less than 115 mmHg after a 14 day washout period were randomized to receive either valsartan 80 mg once daily (n=125) or perindopril 4 mg daily (n=125) for eight weeks. The primary end point for efficacy was the change in mean sitting systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SiSBP and SiDBP). The primary criteria for evaluation of tolerability was the incidence of adverse events. There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to sex, age, weight, baseline sitting and standing systolic and diastolic blood pressure. At 0, 4 and 8 weeks the mean SiDBP in the valsartan group were 101.4, 92.8 and 91.0 mmHg respectively. The corresponding BP for the perindopril treated group was 102.6, 93.8 and 93.2 mmHg. (95% CI -1.39 to +3.27). There were no significant differences in the mean BP measurements between the valsartan and perindopril group at 0, 4 and 8 weeks. In each group there were significant differences between the BP at 4 and 8 weeks compared to baseline. A similar pattern was seen with SiSBP. At 4 weeks 28.7% of the valsartan and 25% of the perindopril group had their BP normalized (SiDBP <90 mmHg) The percentages of patients who responded (SiDBP reduction >10 mmHg but SiDBP >90 mmHg) were 21.3 in the valsartan group and 20.8 in the perindopril group. At 8 weeks, 31.1% of the valsartan group and 30.8% of the perindopril group had their BP normalized. The response rate was 27% and 22.5% for valsartan and perindopril respectively. The major adverse event was cough which occurred in 18 patients (14.4%) in the perindopril and 1 (0.8%) in the valsartan group at 4 weeks. At 8 weeks the figures were 24 (19.2%) and 2 (1.6%) respectively. The results indicate that Valsartan is safe and efficacious in the treatment of mild to moderate hypertension. It is equally efficacious to Perindopril and not associated with any major adverse event. It has a better tolerability profile with respect to dry cough.