Captopril: Evaluation of Low Doses, Twice-Daily Doses and the Addition of Diuretic for the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Hypertension

In the early 1980s, a new class of drugs were developed that treated hypertension by preventing the synthesis of certain hormones that caused blood vessels to constrict. These drugs, of which Captopril was one, were designated as angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. Freis's team reported that Captopril, which up to then had only been administered to the most severe hypertensive patients, effectively reduced blood pressure in lower doses than indicated in previous studies, reducing the likelihood of deleterious side effects. As a result, they recommended that its use be extended to the general population.