Negligible therapeutic effects of enalapril in a 65-year-old black man of essential hypertension

Abstract

This is a case report of negligible therapeutic effects of enalapril in a patient of essential hypertension for a period of 3 months. Negligible therapeutic effects of enalapril response in this patient was unexpected as patient claimed complete adherence to the treatment regimen and could possibly be attributed to counterfeit medication which is a recognised problem in some developing nations. Eventually, the patient developed dangerously high blood pressure with the systolic pressure above 200 mmHg. The patient was rescued with sublingual nifedipine and later maintained on monotherapy with another calcium channel blocker. This report has demonstrated that when physicians acquire adequate knowledge and skills in clinical pharmacology and therapeutics, they would be able to adjust drug treatment appropriately. In addition, this report has also highlighted the need to investigate factors that may influence poor response to medications.