Objective: To compare the antihypertensive effect and safety of amlodipine and felodipine extended release (ER). Methods: Seventy-six patients with mild to moderate hypertension were randomized to two groups in a double-blind manner. One group was treated with amlodipine 5.0–10.0 mg/day (group 1), and the other group with felodipine ER 5.0–10.0 mg/day (group 2), for 12 weeks. Twenty-four-hour ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) monitoring at baseline and after treatment was used to evaluate drug efficacy and blood pressure (BP) changes during a ‘drug holiday’ (48 h). Results: Diastolic BP was reduced in the amlodipine group by 15.1 mm Hg (to a final BP of 84.8 mm Hg) and in the felodipine ER group by 15.3 mm Hg (to a final BP of 85.0 mm Hg). Efficacy was considered to be achieved in 83.8% of patients in group 1 and in 87.9% of patients in group 2 (not significant). The number of patients controlled at the starting dose was 28 in group 1 and 19 in group 2 (p < 0.01). In group 1, BP remained below 140/90 mm Hg 24–48 h after the missed dose, and 24-hour ABP was not significantly different from that before the missed doses. In group 2, BP was above 140/90 mm Hg after the missed dose, and both BP and 24-hour ABP were statistically significantly higher than those before the missed doses. Adverse reactions were infrequent in both groups. Conclusions: Both amlodipine and felodipine ER are effective, safe, reliable and well tolerated in the treatment of mild to moderate essential hypertension. BP was well controlled in group 1 24–48 h after the missed dose. The fluctuation of BP in group 2, however, was significantly worse than that in group 1.

Keywords:
Amlodipine, Felodipine ER, Essential hypertension, Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring
This content is only available via PDF.
© 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel
2001
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.