title: Dose response and length of action of nifedipine capsules and tablets in patients with essential hypertension: a randomised crossover study.
abstract: Twelve patients with essential hypertension on no other drug treatment were entered into a randomised crossover study of 5, 10 and 20 mg capsules of nifedipine given 3 times a day and 20 mg tablets given twice a day. Each dose was given for 2 weeks in a random order. All forms of nifedipine were effective in lowering blood pressure. However, 5 mg capsules were less effective than the 10 and 20 mg capsules or 20 mg tablets. There was little to choose between the latter. All doses of nifedipine were more effective 1 and 3 h after the dose compared to subsequent times afterwards. Indeed, as time elapsed after the last dose up to 12 h, there was a gradual increase in blood pressure. However, even at 12 h the 10, 20 mg capsules and 20 mg tablets were still causing an approximate 10% reduction in blood pressure. Nifedipine tablets are as effective as capsules though they might be longer acting, particularly around 6 h after the last dose.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002214:Capsules; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011897:Random Allocation; D013607:Tablets; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002214:Capsules; D013607:Tablets; D009543:Nifedipine