Antihypertensive effect of slow-release nicardipine. A placebo-controlled cross-over study.
The magnitude and duration of the antihypertensive effect of slow-release nicardipine (SR-Nicardipine) have been compared with placebo in 36 uncomplicated essential hypertensives (diastolic BP 95 to 115 mm Hg after 1-month placebo washout). According to a double-blind, randomized, cross-over design they received SR-Nicardipine 40 mg b.d. and placebo for 1 month. At the end of each treatment period, blood pressure and heart rate were measured 12 h after the evening dose and 1, 2, 3 and 4 h after the morning dose. SR-Nicardipine significantly reduced systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure at each time after dosing. The absolute decrements peaked 4 h after dosing (-18.3 and -11.7 mm Hg, respectively) and more than 90% of the peak effect persisted 12 h after dosing, both for SBP and DBP. The heart rate was slightly increased by SR-Ni-cardipine. Adverse effects monitored with a check-list occurred in 31% of patients during SR-Nicardipine treatment and in 28% on placebo. Thus, SR-Nicardipine 40 mg b.d. has a maintained and significant antihypertensive effect lasting up to 12 h in essential hypertension.
Salvetti
A
A
Cattedra di Terapia Medica Sistematica, Clinica Medica I, Pisa, Italy.
Cardellino
G
G
Pesenti
M
M
Caiazza
A
A
Ghisoni
F
F
Del Prato
C
C
Innocenti
P F
PF
Ponzanelli
F
F
Errico
M
M
Freda
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009529:Nicardipine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011897:Random Allocation
D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D009529:Nicardipine