Summary
Two randomised, double-blind, cross-over studies inhealthy volunteers given captopril 50 mg b. d. (n = 37; Study I) or enalapril 20 mg o. d. (n = 40; Study 2) and placebo for 2 weeks have been done to examine general well-being. Subjective experiences were evaluated using the standardised, Minor Symptoms Evaluation-profile (MSEP), which was completed during Run-in and on Days l, 4,7 and 14 in the morning.
In comparison to placebo and the Run-in period, neither captopril nor enalapril affected the MSEP dimensions of Vitality, Contentment and Sleep. Captopril treatment was also assessed by applying the Quality of Life Clinical Questionnaire during Run-in and on Days 7 and 14. No improvement in the quality of life was demonstrated during treatment in comparison with the placebo or the Run-in period. Thus, no mood elevating effect of the ACE-inibitors captopril and enalapril was demonstrated in healthy volunteers.
Cough, which is believed to be a common adverse effect of ACE-inhibitors, was no more frequent during the treatment with captopril or enalapril than with placebo.
It is concluded, that short-term treatment with captopril or enalapril is not perceived differently by healthy volunteers than placebo or no treatment at all. Furthermore, the cough associated with ACE-inhibition may be dependent on the duration of treatment, and two weeks was apparently too short for it to emerge.
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Dahlöf, C., Dimenäs, E. General well-being during treatment with different ACE-inhibitors: Two double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over studies in healthy volunteers. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 43, 375–379 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02220612
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02220612