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A randomized prospective crossover trial of amlodipine in pediatric hypertension

J W Rogan1, D A Lyszkiewicz, D Blowey

  • 1The Department of Pediatrics and Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.

Pediatric Nephrology (Berlin, Germany)
|October 25, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Amlodipine is as effective as other calcium channel blockers for treating hypertension in children. Its liquid form and once-daily dosing may improve medication adherence in pediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nephrology
  • Cardiovascular Pharmacology
  • Clinical Hypertension

Background:

  • Pediatric hypertension requires effective and manageable treatment options.
  • Amlodipine offers potential advantages for pediatric use, including liquid formulation and once-daily dosing.
  • Standard long-acting calcium channel blockers like felodipine and nifedipine are commonly used.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the efficacy and patient compliance of amlodipine versus standard long-acting calcium channel blockers (felodipine or nifedipine) in hypertensive children.
  • To evaluate blood pressure control and adherence in pediatric patients receiving amlodipine or other calcium channel blockers.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized, prospective, crossover study involving 11 hypertensive children (aged 9-17 years).
  • Electronic monitoring was used to assess patient compliance during 30-day treatment periods for each drug.
  • 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring assessed systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures during day and night.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure were observed between amlodipine and nifedipine/felodipine.
  • 24-hour blood pressure monitoring showed no significant differences in daytime or nighttime SBP and DBP between treatments.
  • Patient compliance rates were similar for amlodipine and the other calcium channel blockers.

Conclusions:

  • Amlodipine demonstrates comparable efficacy to nifedipine and felodipine in managing hypertension in pediatric nephrology patients.
  • Amlodipine's liquid formulation and once-daily administration make it a potentially optimal choice for treating young children.
  • The study supports amlodipine as an effective and well-tolerated option for pediatric hypertension management.

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