title: Trial of slow release diltiazem for essential hypertension in general practice.
abstract: In New Zealand diltiazem has been approved since 1984 for the treatment of angina pectoris and was available only as short acting tablets. This study was a trial of a slow release formulation in the treatment of hypertension. A single blind placebo controlled study was undertaken on 24 patients in general practice using a once daily dose with a maximum of 360 mg. The mean fall in resting supine diastolic blood pressure was 17.3 mmHg, 95% CI 14.4 to 20.2; t = 12.2, df = 23, p = 0.0001. Twelve patients (50%) achieved a fall in diastolic pressure to 90 mmHg or less with the minimum dose (120 mg) while 19 patients (79%) achieved this level with up to 360 mg daily and 22 patients (92%) had a fall of diastolic pressure of 10 mmHg or more. One patient was withdrawn because of a rash. Other adverse reactions were mild and usually tolerable.
authors.affiliation: Gardens Medical Centre, Dunedin.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Coulter
mesh_terms: D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004110:Diltiazem / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005194:Family Practice; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009520:New Zealand; D016037:Single-Blind Method
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004110:Diltiazem