Use of nifedipine as an adjunct to current antihypertensive therapy

Ten hypertensive patients with poor responses to standard antihypertensive therapy were treated with the calcium channel antagonist nifedipine in an attempt to obtain better BP control. The drug was highly effective in significantly lowering BP immediately (average decrease, 58/29 mm Hg) and after three to eight weeks of maintenance therapy (average decrease, 49/27 mm Hg), with no significant change in heart rate observed at either time. No adverse interactions between nifedipine and other concurrent medications, including digoxin and beta-adrenergic blockers, were noted. Drug-related side effects of tachycardia or flushing necessitated the withdrawal of nifedipine therapy in two patients. We conclude that nifedipine may be safely employed in an outpatient setting as a useful adjunct to current antihypertensive drug regimens.