Antihypertensive efficacy of anipamil in mild to moderate hypertension

The antihypertensive efficacy of anipamil, a novel calcium antagonist of the verapamil type, was tested in an open group comparison. One hundred twenty-one hypertensive patients (World Health Organization stage I-II) entered the study in 17 centers in Germany and Austria. After a placebo washout period patients were randomly allocated to either 40, 80, or 120 mg of anipamil for a period of 7 days. This treatment period was followed by another 7-day placebo period. Anipamil lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure in all three dosages tested. The 80-mg dose was more effective than 40 mg. The 120-mg dose did not show an increased effect over 80 mg. Heart rate was slightly lowered, reaching statistical significance in the groups receiving 80 and 120 mg. In the dosages tested, anipamil had no effect on PQ-interval or other electrocardiogram parameters. Major or clinically relevant changes in the laboratory parameters could not be detected. Side effects were rare, mild, and transient. No patient had to be discharged from the trial due to severe side effects.