Amlodipine as monotherapy in hypertensive Africans: clinical efficacy and safety studies

Amlodipine as a monotherapy was evaluated in 20 patients with mild, moderate, and severe hypertension over a 10 week period. After a washout period of 4 weeks, Amlodipine was administered at a dose of 5 mg once daily for 2 weeks and increased to 10 mg once daily if diastolic blood pressure did not fall to below 90 mmHg. At the end of the trial, diastolic blood pressure was reduced to below 90 mmHg in all but four patients. However, these four patients had greater than 20 mmHg reduction in diastolic blood pressure. There was a slight, but insignificant increase in heart rate. Dizziness and weakness occurred in one patient, otherwise, the drug was well tolerated. Laboratory tests, including plasma lipids done at the start and end of the trial, remained unchanged.