Felodipine in elderly hypertensives. Dutch GP Multicentre Study Group

Elderly hypertensive patients (n = 52), with a supine diastolic blood pressure (DBP) greater than or equal to 100 mmHg, were randomised to four weeks' double-blind, parallel-group treatment with felodipine or placebo in order to compare the antihypertensive efficacy and tolerability of these compounds. The starting dose of felodipine was 2.5 mg twice daily, which was increased to 5 mg twice daily after two weeks' treatment if the supine DBP was still greater than 95 mmHg. In the felodipine group, mean supine blood pressure (BP) was reduced from 176/101 to 167/92 and 165/88 mmHg after two and four weeks, respectively. The corresponding figures in the placebo group were a reduction from 177/103 to 174/102 and 172/98 mmHg. The difference in reduction in DBP between the groups was statistically significant. The proportion of responders was also significantly greater in the felodipine group. The dose-increase was performed in 34% of the patients on felodipine and in 69% of the patients on placebo. Both treatments were well tolerated, and only one patient was withdrawn from the felodipine group and two from the placebo group. Ankle swelling was the most common adverse event of felodipine.