Effects of amlodipine vs enalapril on microalbuminuria in hypertensive patients with type II diabetes

The effects of once-daily amlodipine 10 mg or enalapril 20 mg on urinary albumin excretion (UAE) were evaluated over 12 months, in a randomised trial of 50 hypertensive patients with type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus and microalbuminuria. Both drugs significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure without affecting heart rate or glucose homeostasis. UAE was significantly reduced after 3 months of treatment with enalapril and 6 months of therapy with amlodipine. The percentage reduction in UAE significantly correlated with the decrement in systolic blood pressure and duration of hypertension in both treatment groups. Creatinine clearance was unaffected by enalapril, but was significantly increased by amlodipine. Long term treatment with either amlodipine or enalapril was therefore effective in reducing UAE in hypertensive patients with type II diabetes and microalbuminuria.