title: The efficacy and safety of long-term antihypertensive therapy with nifedipine.
abstract: The antihypertensive effect and safety of long-term therapy with nifedipine were evaluated in 132 hypertensive patients, including 100 aged patients who received nifedipine alone or with other antihypertensive agents for a mean duration of 28.6 months. A prompt hypotensive effect was observed 1 month after the initiation of nifedipine therapy. The hypotensive effect persisted for the entire follow-up period and was related to the pretreatment mean blood pressure level. Late drug tolerance was not observed. Dizziness, facial flushing and other unpleasant sensations were observed in 7.5% and ankle edema in 9.8% of the patients. The therapy did not significantly influence serum creatinine levels. Hypotension and side effects were the cause of discontinuation in 10.6% and 4.5% of patients, respectively. We conclude that long-term antihypertensive therapy with nifedipine is both effective and safe, not only in adult patients but also in the high-risk aged patient.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001581:Benzothiadiazines; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D004232:Diuretics; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013565:Sympatholytics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001581:Benzothiadiazines; D001786:Blood Glucose; D004232:Diuretics; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors; D013565:Sympatholytics; D003404:Creatinine; D009543:Nifedipine