ACE inhibitors compared with thiazide diuretics as first-step antihypertensive therapy.

While ACE inhibitors are considerably more expensive than thiazide diuretics, they are slightly more effective antihypertensive agents in white patients and have fewer side effects. They can be regarded as suitable first-line therapy in diabetic hypertensives. It is probable that as new drugs in this class are marketed, the price differential will lessen and they will be regarded as acceptable and useful first-line drugs in an increasingly large number of patients.