Nifedipine in combination therapy for chronic hypertension. A review

Results are presented from a study conducted in twelve male patients with hypertension who were treated during alternating one-month periods with a calcium channel blocker, a beta blocker, or a combination of both drugs. After one month of placebo therapy, the patients received 10 mg of nifedipine three times daily, 100 mg of metoprolol twice daily plus 10 mg of nifedipine three times daily, or 100 mg of metoprolol twice daily during successive periods. Nifedipine monotherapy resulted in a significant decrease in both systolic and diastolic blood pressures at rest and in systolic blood pressure during exercise. Monotherapy with metoprolol also significantly reduced systolic blood pressure during exercise. Combination therapy with the calcium channel blocker and the beta blocker produced a significantly greater decrease in both resting and exercise blood pressures than with either drug alone, with achievement of adequate blood pressure control in all patients.