Preliminary experience with amlodipine in the pediatric population.
The authors retrospectively examined their experience with amlodipine in the treatment of hypertension in 32 pediatric-aged patients, ranging in age from 4 to 26 years, with blood pressure (BP) readings greater than the 90th percentile for age. Amlodipine was used as the sole therapy in 9 patients and with other antihypertensive therapy in 23 patients. Additional antihypertensive drugs used in combination with amlodipine included beta-adrenergic antagonists, ACE inhibitors, and diuretics. The starting dose of amlodipine was 0.13+/-0.09 mg/kg/d. The dose was increased in 20 of 32 patients to 0.23+/-0.13 mg/kg/d. Amlodipine was administered once daily to 26 patients and twice daily to 6 patients. After therapy with amlodipine was initiated, the systolic BP decreased from 141+/-15 to 132+/-9 mm Hg (P=0.01) and the diastolic BP decreased from 84+/-16 to 77+/-8 mmHg (P=0,03). There were a total of 2145 follow-up BP readings. The follow-up systolic BP was lower than the initial BP prior to starting amlodipine 59% of the time and the diastolic BP was lower than the initial BP 61% of the time. The follow-up systolic BP was lower than the 90th percentile predicted for age 33% of the time after starting amlodipine and the diastolic BF was lower than the 90th percentile for age 52% of the time. Adverse effects were noted in 4 of the 32 patients (12.5%). These included fatigue (n=2), dizziness (n=1), and ankle edema (n=1). Amlodipine therapy was discontinued in only 1 patient (the patient with ankle edema). Given its efficacy, the low incidence of adverse effects, and availability as a suspension, amlodipine is an effective agent for the treatment of hypertension in the pediatric-aged patient.
Andersen
Jeffrey
J
University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, Missouri 65212, USA.
Groshong
Ted
T
Tobias
Joseph D
JD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017311:Amlodipine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D010372:Pediatrics; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D017311:Amlodipine