Amlodipine in mild and moderate hypertension: initial Indian experience

In an open, non-comparative, variable-dose study, 20 outpatients with mild to moderate essential hypertension were treated with 5-10 mg amlodipine once daily for 4 weeks, after their blood pressures had stabilized on placebo. Amlodipine produced a significant decrease in blood pressure (P < 0.05) from the initial mean of 162/100 mm Hg to 139/85 mm Hg at 4 weeks. 80% of the patients reached the goal diastolic blood pressure of < or = 90 mm Hg with a once-daily dose of 5 mg amlodipine within 2 weeks. The remaining 20% also attained the goal diastolic blood pressure within 4 weeks, with a one-step increase in the dose to 10 mg at 2 weeks. Amlodipine maintained blood pressure reduction throughout the 24-hours dosing interval with a once-daily dose. Notably, no side effects were observed; pulse rate, electrocardiogram, and laboratory parameters were not significantly altered with therapy. Amlodipine in a single daily dose of 5-10 mg is effective and well tolerated in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate hypertension.