title: Efficacy, tolerability and safety of isradipine (Lomir) in the treatment of mild to moderate Tanzanian hypertensives.
abstract: Isradipine (Lomir) a new dihydropyridine calcium antagonist was evaluated for its efficacy, tolerability and safety among mild to moderate Tanzanian hypertensives. Twenty nine patients (7 males and 22 females), mean age 42.7 +/- 8.5 years entered active treatment phase, of the 16 week open label therapeutic trial. A mean decrease from base line in supine systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 17.6 mmHg (p < 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 13.5 mmHg (p < 0.001) were achieved at the end of the study period. The corresponding changes from base line in standing SBP and DBP were 18 mmHg (p < 0.001) and 13.5 mmHg (p < 0.001) respectively. The efficacy was excellent or good in 84% and fair or none in 16% of the study patients. The tolerability of the drugs was excellent or good in 88.8% of patients, fair in 7.4% and bad in 3.8%. The mild side effects included headache, palpitations, tiredness and nocturia. But these improved with continued treatment. Isradipine (Lomir) at a dose of 1.25mg to 2.5mg twice daily is effective, safe and tolerable in mild to moderate hypertension.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Muhimbili Medical Centre, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lwakatare
authors.forename: E E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Maro
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Mtulia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D017275:Isradipine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013636:Tanzania
chemical_list: D017275:Isradipine