NISOLDIPINE CC - CLINICAL-EXPERIENCE IN HYPERTENSION

Nisoldipine coat core (CC) is a long-acting formulation of the dihydro pyridine calcium channel blocker nisoldipine, suitable for once-daily administration in the treatment of patients with hypertension. Data ar e reported from three randomized, controlled trials. In two of these, nisoldipine CC was shown to be equivalent in efficacy and tolerability to atenolol in patients with mild to moderate hypertension and to ena lapril in elderly patients with hypertension. In a third study using a mbulatory blood pressure monitoring in black patients with severe hype rtension, nisoldipine CC maintained blood pressure control over the 24 -hour dosing period. In addition, regression of left ventricular (LV) mass and improvement in LV function were observed at the end of the 4- month treatment period. Further data are presented from a pharmacokine tic pharmacodynamic modelling study investigating the potential effect s of dose-dumping of nisoldipine from the controlled-release formulati on, which may occur when the drug is taken with food. This study illus trates the superior control of plasma nisoldipine concentrations and b lood pressure provided by the CC compared with an immediate-release fo rmulation, and indicates that an interaction between nisoldipine CC an d food is unlikely to cause adverse events. The results of these trial s provide further support for the use of nisoldipine CC as an effectiv e agent for the treatment of patients with hypertension, providing con sistent antihypertensive efficacy and good tolerability with once-dail y administration.