ANTIHYPERTENSIVE DRUGS AND GLUCOSE-METABOLISM - A COMPARISON BETWEEN A DIURETIC AND FELODIPINE, A NEW CALCIUM-ANTAGONIST, WHEN ADDED TO A BETA-BLOCKER IN NONDIABETIC HYPERTENSIVE WOMEN

Felodipine, a vascular selective antihypertensive calcium antagonist, was compared with hydrochlorothiazide, adiuretic, with respect to gluc ose tolerance. An open crossover study was performed comprising 16 non -diabetic hypertensive women (age range 59-75 years). The women contin ued to take a beta-blocker as a basal therapy. Each treatment period l asted three months. The blood pressure was similar irrespective of tre atment. Blood glucose values were not significantly different during t he oral glucose tolerance test. Serum insulin levels after glucose adm inistration were lower when the patients were treated with felodipine than when taking hydrochlorothiazide. A possible explanation for this observation may be an increased insulin release as a consequence of tr eatment with a diuretic in order to maintain normal blood glucose leve ls during the glucose tolerance test. Felodipine appears preferable to hydrochlorothiazide as an addition to a beta blocker in hypertensive patients from a glucose metabolism point of view.