Efficacy of slow-release oral isradipine in moderate-to-severe hypertension with add-on spirapril.
The new slow-release oral formulation (SRO) of isradipine, a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist, was evaluated in 57 patients who had moderate-to-severe hypertension following a 2-week wash-out period and a 2-week placebo period. The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor spirapril, at a dose of 6 mg/day, was added to the treatment of those not responding to 5 mg/day isradipine SRO alone. After 4 weeks of active treatment, isradipine alone normalized blood pressure (diastolic blood pressure < or = 90 mm Hg) in 38 (66.6%) patients whereas a further 4 weeks of treatment with the combination of isradipine and spirapril led to normalization in 14 of the 19 (73.7%) patients with partial or nil blood pressure responses. Side-effects were mild and transient and were observed in nine patients (15.8%). Isradipine SRO is an effective and well-tolerated antihypertensive agent and combination with spirapril appears to enhance its efficacy without an increase in side-effects.
Abarquez
R F
RF
Division of Cardiology, Philippine Heart Center/Philippine General Hospital, Manila.
Sy
R G
RG
Castillo
R R
RR
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004656:Enalapril / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017275:Isradipine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004656:Enalapril; C052555:spirapril; D017275:Isradipine