Nicardipine and hydrochlorothiazide in essential hypertension.
Nicardipine is an investigational dihydropyridine calcium channel blocking agent. One hundred fifty-one patients with hypertension received either 30 mg nicardipine t.i.d. or 25 mg hydrochlorothiazide b.i.d. in a double-blind, randomized, multicenter trial. After 4 weeks of therapy and at the end of the dosing interval, nicardipine reduced arterial pressure by 10/6 mm Hg and 12/6 mm Hg in the supine and standing positions, respectively (all p less than 0.01). In the hydrochlorothiazide group, the reductions were 12/6 mm Hg and 14/6 mm Hg, respectively (all p less than 0.01). The maximum reduction in blood pressure of 16/14 mm Hg supine and 20/15 mm Hg standing occurred within 1 hour after administration of nicardipine. The mean reduction in the hydrochlorothiazide group after 1 hour was 14/11 mm Hg supine and 16/12 mm Hg standing. Neither drug affected autonomic reflexes associated with maximum exercise. Nicardipine increased urinary sodium excretion during the 4-hour period after the first dose. Adverse effects of nicardipine were primarily extensions of its vasodilator effect and included flushing, headache, and edema.
Fagan
T C
TC
General Medicine Section, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson 85724.
Brown
R
R
Schnaper
H
H
Smolens
P
P
Montijo
M
M
Michelson
E
E
Conrad
K A
KA
Lessem
J
J
Freedman
D
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D009529:Nicardipine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011187:Posture; D011897:Random Allocation; D013997:Time Factors
D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide; D009529:Nicardipine