title: Serum concentration-effect relationship of (+/-)-nicardipine and nifedipine in elderly hypertensive patients.
abstract: The concentration-effect relationships of (+/-)-nicardipine and nifedipine have been investigated in hypertensive geriatric patients. Following a parallel group, randomised, double blind trial design, they received either slow release nifedipine 20 mg b.d. (n = 9) or slow release (+/-)-nicardipine 50 mg b.d. (n = 10) for 7 days. On Days 1 and 7 serum (+/-)-nicardipine and nifedipine, blood pressure and heart rate were measured 6 and 12 h after drug administration. (+/-)-Nicardipine showed significant cumulation (ca 2 x) without a corresponding decrease in blood pressure or increase in heart rate. Concentration-effect plots indicated that (+/-)-nicardipine was more potent than nifedipine but that it showed apparently comparable efficacy in reducing the blood pressure. Compared to young healthy volunteers, both drugs had a more pronounced effect in elderly patients.
authors: Division of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors: H C
authors: HC
authors: Porchet
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Loew
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Gauthey
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Dayer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D009529:Nicardipine / Q000097:blood* / Q000494:pharmacology; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000097:blood* / Q000494:pharmacology; D016037:Single-Blind Method
chemical_list: D009529:Nicardipine; D009543:Nifedipine