Captopril vs lisinopril
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Consensus Meter
Captopril vs Lisinopril: A Comparative Analysis
Introduction to ACE Inhibitors in Heart Failure Treatment
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are a cornerstone in the management of congestive heart failure (CHF). Among these, captopril and lisinopril are frequently compared due to their differing pharmacokinetic profiles—captopril being a short-acting ACE inhibitor and lisinopril a long-acting one. This article synthesizes findings from multiple studies to compare the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of these two medications.
Efficacy in Exercise Tolerance and Functional Capacity
Exercise Duration Improvement
Several studies have demonstrated that both captopril and lisinopril significantly improve exercise duration in patients with CHF. However, lisinopril often shows superior results. In a randomized trial, patients treated with lisinopril exhibited a greater increase in exercise duration compared to those on captopril, particularly in those with renal impairment . Another study confirmed that lisinopril improved exercise time more significantly than captopril over a 12-week period.
Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction
Lisinopril has been shown to increase left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients with moderately to severely decreased function, an effect not observed with captopril . This improvement in LVEF is crucial as it is associated with better clinical outcomes and prognosis in CHF patients.
Safety and Tolerability
Adverse Effects
Both medications are generally well-tolerated, with similar adverse effect profiles. Common side effects include increases in blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels, though these were more frequently noted with lisinopril. In terms of serious adverse events, no significant differences were observed between the two drugs .
Blood Pressure Control
In hypertensive patients, lisinopril combined with hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) was more effective in reducing diastolic blood pressure (DBP) compared to captopril combined with HCTZ . This suggests that lisinopril may offer better blood pressure control, which is beneficial in managing CHF.
Special Populations: Elderly Patients
In elderly patients with CHF, both lisinopril and captopril improved exercise tolerance and NYHA class. However, lisinopril showed a tendency to be more effective, particularly in improving LVEF . This is significant as the elderly population often has lower renin activity, which can affect the efficacy of ACE inhibitors.
Endothelial Progenitor Cell (EPC) Migration
A study comparing the effects of captopril, lisinopril, and ramipril on EPC migration found that high-dose lisinopril significantly enhanced EPC migration more than captopril and ramipril. This suggests that lisinopril may have additional benefits in promoting vascular repair and regeneration in patients with coronary artery disease.
Conclusion
Both captopril and lisinopril are effective ACE inhibitors for the treatment of CHF, with each having its own advantages. Lisinopril generally shows superior efficacy in improving exercise duration, LVEF, and blood pressure control, particularly in patients with renal impairment and the elderly. Both drugs are well-tolerated, but lisinopril may offer additional benefits in enhancing EPC migration, which could be advantageous in coronary artery disease management. Therefore, the choice between captopril and lisinopril should be tailored to the individual patient's clinical profile and specific needs.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic