title: The effect of a new calcium channel blocker nicardipine on 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure and the pressor response to isometric and dynamic exercise.
abstract: We have assessed the potential antihypertensive effect of a new slow channel blocker, nicardipine, in a group of patients with essential hypertension. Fourteen patients completed a study using the 'Oxford' system for recording blood pressure during free ambulation and physiological testing. An initial 24-h recording was performed on no treatment and repeated following chronic therapy with 40 mg b.d. of nicardipine. During each recording, the patients performed isometric and dynamic exercise according to a standardized protocol. Within-patient comparisons of consecutive mean hourly systolic and diastolic blood pressures showed a reduction throughout the 24 h during nicardipine therapy. The reduction in blood pressure was also maintained at the peaks of isometric and dynamic exercise. Side-effects were encountered frequently and led to four patient withdrawals. Nicardipine appears to be effective in reducing blood pressure although the frequency of encountered side-effects may limit its usefulness as a first-line antihypertensive agent.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D007537:Isometric Contraction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D009529:Nicardipine; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005082:Physical Exertion; D011187:Posture; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D009529:Nicardipine; D009543:Nifedipine