title: Amlodipine: an effective once-daily antihypertensive agent.
abstract: Amlodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist which can be used once daily in hypertension. The pharmacokinetics of the molecule mean that effective blood levels and hence good control of blood pressure are maintained throughout the dosing interval. Dose-ranging studies have shown the most appropriate starting dose is 5 mg once daily, with simple adjustment to 10 mg if necessary. Comparative studies with other agents have shown amlodipine to have antihypertensive efficacy superior to verapamil and comparable with atenolol, hydrochlorothiazide, captopril or nitrendipine. When used in combination with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, beta-blockers or thiazide diuretics, amlodipine can produce important additional antihypertensive effects. Studies involving long-term use of amlodipine in hypertension indicate that no tolerance appears, and that amlodipine is a well tolerated drug.
authors.affiliation: Pfizer Central Research, Kent, UK.
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Tyler
mesh_terms: D017311:Amlodipine; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D017311:Amlodipine; D009543:Nifedipine