title: Evaluation of a therapeutic conversion from amlodipine to felodipine.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine patient satisfaction with and tolerability of a conversion from a long-acting calcium channel blocker, amlodipine, to felodipine. Secondary objectives were to compare the effect of the change on blood pressure and heart rate and the economic impact of the change.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Veterans Affairs health care system.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred eighty-three men who were taking amlodipine to manage hypertension.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients who were converted to felodipine were mailed a survey quantifying subjective symptoms; the survey also included questions specific to the change program. Transitory blood pressure and heart rate measurements retrieved by electronic chart review were evaluated during therapy with both amlodipine and felodipine.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ninety-five percent of patients were satisfied with the conversion process and tolerated the switch from amlodipine to felodipine. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures were reduced by 4.4 and 2.6 mm Hg, respectively (p=0.166 and 0.187, respectively). Heart rate was reduced significantly by 4.2 beats/minute (p=0.008). The conversion realized a net annual drug cost savings of approximately dollars 16,000.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our patient population was satisfied with the conversion from amlodipine to felodipine, and the new drug was found to be effective, well tolerated, and associated with a modest cost reduction.
authors: Department of Pharmacy Practice, Thomas J. Long, School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, California 95211, USA.
authors: Bruce A
authors: BA
authors: Manzo
authors: Mazen S
authors: MS
authors: Matalka
authors: Susan L
authors: SL
authors: Ravnan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017311:Amlodipine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D003625:Data Collection / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D015736:Felodipine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D017311:Amlodipine; D015736:Felodipine