Nifedipine in the treatment of essential hypertension

The antihypertensive efficacy of nifedipine as a second-step drug in 24 patients, uncontrolled by a diuretic alone, was studied according to a double-blind placebo-controlled protocol. A significant blood pressure lowering was observed in nine out of 12 patients receiving the active drug and four out of 12 receiving placebo. Average mean blood pressure decreased by 13 +/- 1 mm Hg in the active drug group versus 5 +/- 3 mm Hg in the placebo group (P less than .02). There were no consistent changes or significant differences in heart rate or in the levels of plasma renin activity and plasma catecholamines between the two groups. In conclusion, nifedipine appears to be a safe and effective antihypertensive agent when used in conjunction with a diuretic for the treatment of moderately severe hypertension.