Azelnidipine.
Azelnidipine is a new dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonist with selectivity for L-type calcium channels that has recently been approved in Japan for the treatment of patients with hypertension. Results from clinical trials showed that, in 95 patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension, long-term treatment with azelnidipine effectively controls blood pressure (BP). The mean reduction from baseline in sitting systolic/diastolic BP after 1 year of treatment was 27.8/16.6 mm Hg. Among 172 patients with uncontrolled hypertension receiving non-calcium channel antagonist antihypertensive agents, the addition of azelnidipine therapy significantly reduced mean BP in a noncomparative, 1-year study (a reduction from 165.7/95.4 mm Hg at baseline to 138.2/79.9 mm Hg at study end). The antihypertensive efficacy of azelnidipine in patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension was shown to be similar to that of amlodipine or nitrendipine in randomised, double-blind studies. Azelnidipine and amlodipine controlled 24-hour BP to a similar extent. Azelnidipine is generally well tolerated; vasodilator adverse events such as as headache and hot facial flushes account for most of the adverse events. Its use is not associated with reflex tachycardia.
Wellington
Keri
K
Adis International Limited, Auckland, New Zealand. demail@adis.co.nz
Scott
Lesley J
LJ
D000818:Animals; D001383:Azetidinecarboxylic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type / Q000187:drug effects*; D004095:Dihydropyridines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type; D004095:Dihydropyridines; D001383:Azetidinecarboxylic Acid; C061679:azelnidipine