Pharmacodynamic properties of felodipine

This overview presents the pharmacodynamic properties of felodipine as studied in animal experiments with emphasis on results from our laboratory. Felodipine is 100-fold more potent in causing inhibition of spontaneously active vascular smooth muscle than myocardium in vitro. This vascular selectivity is significantly greater than that of nifedipine (potency ratio 15). Verapamil, D-600, La3+ and reduction of [Ca2+]o lack selectivity. The cellular mechanisms underlying this variable selectivity are not clear at present. In conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), the plasma concentration required for 20% reduction of mean arterial pressure is approximately 10 nmol. Mean arterial pressure is lowered dose-dependently as a result of reduced peripheral vascular resistance accompanied by increased cardiac output due to transient tachycardia and increased stroke volume. There was rapid resetting of the baroreflex set point but unaltered sensitivity after felodipine and hydralazine in SHR. Therefore, the reflexogenic increase in heart rate and plasma renin activity subsided within 3 to 5 hours of continuous felodipine administration in SHR. In addition, there was a uniform dilatation of the peripheral vascular beds after felodipine administration. During long term treatment of SHR with felodipine, progression of left ventricular and vascular wall hypertrophy was prevented. Within the 'therapeutic dose range', the only primary effect observed in addition to arterial vasodilation is diuresis/natriuresis caused by a renal tubular action.