[Safety and antihypertensive efficacy of the dihydropyridine calcium antagonist Amlodipine besylate--results from an observational study in 9,672 patients].
OBJECTIVE
This observational study investigated prescription behavior and the efficacy and safety of Amlodipine besylate in hypertensive patients.


METHODS
9,672 hypertensive patients were treated with Amlodipine besylate 5-10 mg/day for 12 weeks. At the end of the observation period, the participating physicians were asked to give their subjective evaluation of the efficacy and safety of treatment with Amlodipine besylate as well as their therapeutic considerations regarding the use of Amlodipine besylate.


RESULTS
55.2% of the patients received Amlodipine besylate in combination with other antihypertensive agents. The mean baseline blood pressure was 168.0/96.7 mmHg and the mean blood pressure reduction achieved at the end of the observation period was -28.5/-14.5 mmHg. In 80.3% of the total population, a reduction to diastolic blood pressure values of < 90 mmHg was achieved. A reduction to systolic blood pressure values of < 140 mmHg was obtained in 41.6% of the patients. Adverse events were reported by only 1.2% of the patients. For the vast majority of the patients, efficacy (96.6%) and safety (98.9%) were rated "very good" or "good" by their physicians. 24-hour efficacy with once daily dosing was given as the most important argument for using Amlodipine besylate.


CONCLUSIONS
The observation study confirmsthat Amlodipine besylate is an effective and safe antihypertensive drug both in mono and combination therapy.
Keck
M
M
Fachklinik für Herz- und Kreislaufkrankheiten, Drei-Burgen-Klinik, Bad Münster am Stein. michael.keck@lva-rheinland-pfalz.de
Sauerbrey-Wullkopf
N
N
Regourd
E
E
Clemens
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017311:Amlodipine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012449:Safety; D013997:Time Factors
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D017311:Amlodipine