Amlodipine in the treatment of hypertension

This article summarizes data from studies showing the antihypertensive efficacy of amlodipine. Ambulatory monitoring studies have confirmed that once-daily dosing provides 24-h control of blood pressure. Comparative studies have shown amlodipine to have superior antihypertensive efficacy to verapamil and equivalent antihypertensive efficacy to hydrochlorothiazide or atenolol. Studies of amlodipine in combination with other classes of antihypertensive agents show an additive effect with diuretics, beta-blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. These properties, together with the value of once-daily dosing, promise to make amlodipine a very useful agent for the treatment of hypertension.