[Experience with amlodipine (Norvasc) in the management of arterial hypertension]

The authors report the results of therapy with amlodipine in 20 patients with mild or moderate hypertension (diastolic pressure between 95 and 115 mmHg). Amlodopine was administered in a dose of either 5 or 10 mg once a day for 12 weeks. None of the patients had a history of congestive heart failure. Eleven patients were men between 27 and 89 years of age (average age was 52.6 years). There was a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure (from 161 to 141 mm Hg or -12.4%) and in diastolic blood pressure (from 103 to 86 mm Hg or -16.5%). Heart rate remained between 78 and 77 beats per minute. Only one patient experienced palpitations and two complained of mild, transient giddiness while on this therapy.