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Effectiveness of a new calcium antagonist in severe hypertension
Insights
Nitrendipine effectively treats severe hypertension. This calcium channel blocker, similar to nifedipine, showed good tolerability in patients, with most achieving target blood pressure with one or two medications.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Severe essential hypertension requires effective treatment.
- Calcium channel blockers are a key therapeutic class.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of nitrendipine in severe hypertension.
- To determine the dosage and add-on therapy requirements for nitrendipine.
Main Methods:
- 16 patients with severe hypertension received nitrendipine (5-40 mg orally twice daily) for up to three months.
- Concomitant antihypertensive medications (hydrochlorothiazide, propranolol) were added as needed.
- Goal blood pressure was defined as supine diastolic pressure ≤ 90 mm Hg.
Main Results:
- Five patients achieved goal blood pressure with nitrendipine monotherapy.
- Six additional patients reached goal blood pressure with a second medication.
- Four patients required triple-drug therapy; one patient discontinued due to headaches.
Conclusions:
- Nitrendipine is an effective antihypertensive agent for severe essential hypertension.
- The drug is generally well-tolerated, with headaches being a notable side effect.
- Nitrendipine facilitates achieving blood pressure goals, often with add-on therapy.
Abstract:
Nitrendipine is a new nifedipine-like calcium antagonist antihypertensive agent. In this study, nitrendipine 5-40 mg orally bid was administered for up to three months to 16 patients with severe essential hypertension (untreated supine diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 115 mm Hg). Hydrochlorothiazide or propranolol or both were also given to patients who did not achieve goal blood pressure with nitrendipine alone. Five patients achieved goal blood pressure (supine less than or equal to 90 mm Hg) with nitrendipine alone and six more after the addition of a second drug, and only four required triple-drug therapy. One patient was terminated from the study because of headaches, a common nitrendipine side effect. This study demonstrates that nitrendipine is an effective and well-tolerated agent in the treatment of severe hypertension.