Both angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition and sodium-diuresis lower blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The purpose of the present study was to examine whether long-term therapy with ramipril (RA, and ACE inhibitor) would lower blood pressure more effectively and without adverse reactions in combination with the loop diuretics piretanide (PI) or furosemide (FU). Groups of 15 SHR each were treated once daily for 3 weeks by gavage with 1 and 10 mg/kg RA, 2 and 4 mg/kg PI, and 8 and 16 mg/kg FU alone and with 1 mg/kg RA in combination with each of these diuretics at both the high and low doses. Sustained and marked ACE inhibition with 10 mg/kg RA normalized BP, but this was accompanied with slightly impaired kidney function as assessed by increases in both urea and creatinine. Low-dose diuretic therapy, producing little diuresis, or treatment with 1 mg/kg RA, producing less sustained ACE inhibition were less effective on blood pressure and scarcely altered serum solute levels, except 4 mg/kg PI, which produced slight reductions in Na+, K+, Mg2+, and PO4(3-). Combined treatment with the 1 mg/kg RA with either diuretic given at low or high dose was well tolerated at much improved reduction in blood pressure compared to their effects individually and without changes in serum solute concentrations and without hemoconcentration. Thus, combined treatment with low doses of loop diuretics and ACE inhibitors that permit partial recovery of serum ACE activity during the 24 h after dosing synergistically lowers blood pressure without adverse reactions associated with larger doses of either therapy alone.