title: The effect of lacidipine on patients with mild to moderate hypertension and the effect of a combination of lacidipine and hydrochlorothiazide in the treatment of hypertension uncontrolled after four weeks of lacidipine treatment: an open study.
abstract: In the treatment of hypertension, some patients may go off control while still on the drugs. This occurs especially with sympathetic inhibitors and vasodilators. Lacidipine, a new calcium antagonist acts principally by vasodilatation. After a wash out period, patients with mild to moderate hypertension received 4 mg of Lacidipine for two weeks. After evaluation at two weeks, those uncontrolled received 6 mg of Lacidipine, while those controlled continued with 4 mg of Lacidipine for another two weeks. By the next evaluation, while patients continued whatever doses they were on, any one who had gone off control had 25 mg of Hydrochlorothiazide added. They were evaluated finally after another two weeks. It was found in this study that 91.3% (21/23) were controlled by the end with only Lacidipine either in 4 mg or 6 mg doses. Another 8.7% (2/23) initially controlled on Lacidipine went off control while still on the drug, and were eventually controlled by adding Hydrochlorothiazide. Some transient side effects not warranting discontinuation were encountered. It is concluded that Lacidipine is effective as monotherapy in mildly to moderately hypertensive Nigerian Africans; with good tolerance and safety profile. Where transient control is encountered, addition of a diuretic could be beneficial.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Plateau State.
authors.forename: B N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Okeahialam
authors.forename: E I
authors.initials: EI
authors.lastname: Isamade
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Ibrahim
authors.forename: F I
authors.initials: FI
authors.lastname: Anjorin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D044383:Black People; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004095:Dihydropyridines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D004095:Dihydropyridines; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide; C060285:lacidipine