title: Randomized, comparative, double-blind study of amlodipine vs. nicardipine as a treatment of isolated systolic hypertension in the elderly.
abstract: A 90-day, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study was conducted to compare the efficacy of amlodipine (once a day) with nicardipine (two to three times a day), in the treatment of isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) in the elderly. Patients (n = 133) aged > or = 60 years, with ISH were randomized to receive either amlodipine 5 mg/day, or nicardipine 60 mg/day (titrated if necessary to 10 mg/day and 100 mg/day, respectively) for 90 days. Efficacy was assessed by measuring office blood pressure (BP), and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). The two treatments substantially and comparably reduced office systolic blood pressure (SBP) and pulse pressure (PP), and also produced a slight decrease in diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Amlodipine reduced SBP, as assessed by ABPM, to a significantly greater extent than nicardipine. Both treatments were well-tolerated. The sustained effect of amlodipine, compared with nicardipine, was reflected in its significantly greater antihypertensive activity, particularly during the nocturnal period, as assessed by ABPM. The study demonstrates that once a day dose of amlodipine is an effective antihypertensive treatment for elderly ISH patients.
authors.affiliation: Hôpital Cardiologique, CHRU de Lille, 2 avenue Oscar Lambret, 59037 Lille, France. cmouniervehier@chru-lille.fr
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mounier-Véhier
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Jaboureck
authors.forename: Jean-Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Emeriau
authors.forename: Corine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bernaud
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Clerson
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carre
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017311:Amlodipine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D018660:Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D009529:Nicardipine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D017311:Amlodipine; D009529:Nicardipine