COMPARISON OF EFFECTS OF NICARDIPINE AND TRICHLORMETHIAZIDE ON INSULIN SENSITIVITY IN HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS

We performed a randomized, crossover study comparing the effects of ni cardipine and trichlormethiazide on insulin sensitivity in 8 untreated essential hypertensive patients. They were treated either with nicard ipine or trichlormethiazide for 12 weeks, after which they were treate d with the alternative drug for a further 12 weeks. Insulin sensitivit y was determined by the hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp technique. N icardipine had no adverse effect on insulin sensitivity. Trichlormethi azide decreased insulin sensitivity index by 12%. As nicardipine does not have an adverse effect on insulin sensitivity, it should be prefer red in patients who have a proven metabolic abnormality.