Effect of felodipine in refractory hypertension.
Felodipine (Plendil), a new drug, has been used in the treatment of five patients with refractory essential hypertension (WHO II-III). Their mean blood pressure at the last outpatient visit before the study was opened was 195 +/- 25/129 +/- 21 mmHg (mean +/- s.d.) (range 175-235/110-165 mmHg), despite treatment with combinations of diuretics, beta-blockers and vasodilators, including minoxidil and captopril. Felodipin is a dihydropyridine derivative, a calcium antagonist that exerts a relaxant effect on resistance vessels. The first period of the study consisted of a 5-day stay in hospital followed by 3 months during which observations were carried out at the Outpatients' Department. After the first days in hospital felodipine therapy was introduced at a dose of 25 mg three times daily, given together with diuretics, beta-blockers and, in one case, captopril. At 8.00 immediately before the first dose was given, the blood pressure was 178 +/- 19/118 +/- 19 mmHg (mean +/- s.d.); 2 h later it was 144 +/- 18/85 +/- 4 mmHg, at which level it remained throughout the rest of the study. At the 3-month follow-up the mean pressure (recorded at the Outpatients' Department) was 138 +/- 20/89 +/- 14 mmHg. Side-effects included headache, flushing, palpitations and ankle oedema (in two patients during the second part of the study); they were of a mild to moderate degree and did not interfere with the treatment. There was no evidence of general fluid retention, and the body weight remained constant.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Seideman
P
P
Department of Internal Medicine, Danderyd Hospital, Sweden.
Ekeroth
M
M
Ostman
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D015736:Felodipine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009568:Nitrendipine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D009568:Nitrendipine; D015736:Felodipine