Felodipine-ER once daily as monotherapy in hypertension.
One hundred and one hypertensive patients [diastolic pressure (dBP) 95-110 mm Hg after greater than or equal to 6 weeks with no antihypertensive therapy] were randomized to receive, double-blind, felodipine-ER 5 mg once daily (n = 49) or placebo (n = 52) for 2 weeks. Twenty-four hours post-dose, felodipine-ER 5 mg o.m. reduced dBP by a mean of 11 mm Hg; in contrast, dBP fell in the placebo group by 3 mm Hg (p less than 0.001). If the target dBP of less than or equal to 90 mm Hg was not attained at 2 weeks, the dose of felodipine-ER (or placebo) was doubled; if the target was not attained after a further 2 weeks, the doses were doubled again, to 20 mg felodipine-ER or placebo. If the target was achieved after 2 or 4 weeks, patients remained on that dose; the double-blind period for all patients was 6 weeks. After 6 weeks, the mean reduction in dBP in the felodipine-ER group was 14 mm Hg, significantly (p less than 0.001) greater than in the placebo group (8 mm Hg). Blood pressure "control" was defined prospectively as a seated dBP less than or equal to 90 mm Hg: after 6 weeks, 67% of patients receiving felodipine-ER compared with 27% on placebo had a controlled blood pressure (p less than 0.001). The figures after 2 weeks were 45% on 5 mg felodipine-ER and 21% on placebo (p less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Campbell
L M
LM
Southbank Surgery, Kirkintilloch, Glasgow, Scotland.
Cowen
K J
KJ
Cranfield
F R
FR
Goves
J R
JR
Jones
D F
DF
Lees
C T
CT
Richardson
P D
PD
Teal
J A
JA
Timerick
S J
SJ
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D003971:Diastole; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015736:Felodipine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011187:Posture; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D015736:Felodipine