title: [Multicenter community-based trial of amlodipine in hypertension in Israel].
abstract: The safety and efficacy of Amlodipine (AML) for mild to moderate hypertension was evaluated in a "real life" setting. This open non-comparative trial included 123 men and 143 women (age 30-91 years, mean 59.4). All had sitting diastolic blood pressure (DBP) between 95 and 115 mmHg, confirmed in most by 2 baseline measurements, 2 weeks apart. Eligible patients were given AML 5 mg daily as add-on or monotherapy and were evaluated 4 weeks later. If DBP was then > 90 mmHg, the daily dose was raised to 10 mg; those with < 90 mmHg remained on 5 mg. AML was continued for 8 weeks. Other BP-lowering drugs were unchanged. Of the original 266 patients 22 (8.2%) withdrew due to adverse events (AE), and others were protocol violators, lost to follow-up or withdrew, leaving 211 available for efficacy analysis. In this major group BP was reduced from 165 +/- 15/101 +/- 4 to 139 +/- 11/83 +/- 5 after 12 weeks of AML (p < 0.05). The reduction was greater in those under 70 years, from 173 +/- 12/100 +/- 5 to 142 +/- 12/80 +/- 4 (p < 0.05). In those with BMI > 30 kg/m2, BP decreased from 165 +/- 15/101 +/- 5 to 140 +/- 12/83 +/- 5 (p < 0.05). Mean change in heart rate was -1.5 bpm (p < 0.05). Mean final AML dose was 5.5 mg/day. The most common AML-related AE requiring cessation of the drug was pedal edema in 2.6% of the 266 patients; in 3.7% it persisted during therapy. Other AE occurring in > 1% were dizziness in 1.8%, headache 1.5%, flushing 1.1% and fatigue 1.1%. We conclude that AML is an effective and well-tolerated antihypertensive suitable for most hypertensive patients.
authors.affiliation: Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheba.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yosefy
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Viskoper
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Leshem
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Rav-Hon
authors.forename: G I
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Rosenberg
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yaskil
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017311:Amlodipine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D017311:Amlodipine