title: Effects of felodipine versus nifedipine on exercise tolerance in stable angina pectoris.
abstract: The effects of single doses of felodipine (5 and 10 mg) and nifedipine (10 and 20 mg) on chronic stable effort angina pectoris were assessed in a placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover study of 24 patients receiving beta blockers and short-acting nitroglycerin. The effects were measured by repeated bicycle ergometer tests. The total work, and time until 1 mm of ST depression increased significantly by 9 to 31% after both active drugs at both dose levels in comparison with placebo. The differences were not significant between drugs or doses. At rest, blood pressure decreased (10 to 15%) and heart rate increased (5 to 10%) significantly after both active drugs. During exercise at the highest comparable work load, systolic blood pressure decreased significantly (23 to 26%), whereas heart rate was not affected after felodipine and nifedipine compared with placebo. The 2 drugs were well tolerated, and side effects were mild. Therefore, single doses of 5 and 10 mg of felodipine, and 10 and 20 mg of nifedipine have similar antianginal and anti-ischemic properties. However, felodipine has a longer duration of action, which may improve compliance.
authors.affiliation: Diet and Fitness Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710.
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Ekelund
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ulvenstam
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Walldius
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aberg
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D015736:Felodipine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D009543:Nifedipine; D015736:Felodipine