A Short Term Comparative Evaluation of Antihypertensive Efficacy and Safety of Olmesartan versus Telmisartan in Patients of Stage 1 Hypertension

Angiotensin type-1 receptor blockers (ARBs) are being one of the first-line treatments for hypertension. Despite the availability of various types of ARBs, there are no comparative studies of their effects in North Indian patients. In this open-label, prospective, randomized study, we compared the antihypertensive effects of olmesartan (20 mg/day) versus telmisartan (40 mg/day) in newly diagnosed patients of stage I hypertension as defined under JNC-VII guidelines. 60 patients were randomized into 2 groups. The odd numbers was allotted to olmesartan (group A) & even numbers to telmisartan (group B). Group A was allotted olmesartan 20 mg/day and group B was given telmisartan 40 mg/day for 12 weeks. Efficacy and safety was assessed by the changes in the blood pressure in terms of adverse event rates and control of blood pressure, including abnormal clinical laboratory variables related to kidney function and serum electrolyte levels. The follow up was done at 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks. We analyzed the blood pressure lowering effects of each drug by blood pressure monitoring at 0, 2, 4, 8, 12 weeks and metabolic parameters were assessed. Olmesartan lowered mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure more significantly than telmisartan. Our results indicate that olmesartan has more potent arterial blood pressure lowering effect than telmisartan. None of the patient complained about any adverse effect with the use of either olmesartan (20mg per day) or telmisartan (40mg/day).