[Long-term antihypertensive effect of delayed-action molsidomine]

The long-term antihypertensive efficacy of molsidomine 8 mg bid was studied in 24 patients with coronary artery disease in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 3 weeks duration. Ambulatory 24-h blood pressure measurements were performed at days 1, 2, 7, 14, and 21. Sphygmomanometric measurements of blood pressure heart rate and a protocol for number and time of angina pectoris attacks were also taken. Following the application of molsidomine a reduction of mean 24-h systolic blood pressure of 14% and of mean diastolic blood pressure of 11% was observed. The duration of the blood-pressure-lowering action was 7 h. After 3 weeks of treatment with 8 mg molsidomine sr bid a persistent and significant reduction of systolic and diastolic blood pressure was found. A similar acute and long-term effect was found by manually measured blood pressures. Heart rate was unchanged under molsidomine while the frequency of angina pectoris was diminished. In conclusion, a long-lasting antihypertensive efficacy (without signs of tolerance) was found over a 3-week period of treatment with 8 mg molsidomine in a slow-release formulation given twice a day.