Nicardipine for stable angina pectoris

Nicardipine, 30 and 40 mg thrice daily, was administered to 66 patients with stable angina pectoris in a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, cross-over trial. With nicardipine therapy, duration of exercise and cumulative oxygen consumption increased, while times to onset of angina and 1 mm ST segment depression were prolonged. Anginal frequency and nitroglycerin consumption declined with use of nicardipine, but this did not reach statistical significance. Resting heart rate increased slightly and resting blood pressure decreased. Two patients on nicardipine and one on placebo sustained acute infarction. Otherwise, side effects were generally mild and transient.