title: [Antihypertensive effects of nifedipine and changing for modified-release formula].
abstract: Nifedipine was initially developed as an anti-anginal drug, and it was Professor Murakami who first reported its usefulness in the management of hypertension. However, rapid decrease in blood pressure with immediate-release formulations of nifedipine led to simultaneous increases in heart rate, presumably because of reflex sympathetic activation, and a meta-analysis in the mid-1990s suggested an increased incidence of serious adverse events (AEs) with short-acting Ca2+ channel antagonists. Although subsequent reviews of the literature found little scientific basis for increased serious AEs with short-acting Ca2+ channel antagonists, this controversy led to the accelerated development of long-acting preparations. Recent clinical research has found improved outcomes in hypertensive patients receiving long-acting Ca2+ channel antagonist preparations and reconfirmed the role of nifedipine as a first-line agent.
authors.affiliation: Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Iwao
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kuwajima
mesh_terms: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D006801:Humans; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D009543:Nifedipine