133 patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension were treated with capt opril

nifedipine

propranolol and hydrochlorothiazide respectively. The effects of these drugs on plasma renin activity(PRA)

hemodynamic parameters and response to antihypertensive drugs were reported.It was shown that nifedipine is the best drug for decreasing blood pressure and improving hemodynamic parameters. Effectiveness in the group with nifedipine was 93.62%

it was more effective than captopril group(74.29%)

propranolol group(47. 37%)and hydrochlorothiazide group(87.5%).Our study have not shown any correlation between antihypertensive effect and PRA levels in nifedipine group.Our data indicated that nifedipine is generallly effective and well tolerated

causing a significant lowering of blood pressure without severe side effects. It may be recommended as a Firststep antihypertensive agent for patients with mild to moderate hypertension