EFFICACY OF AMLODIPINE IN PEDIATRIC BONE-MARROW TRANSPLANT PATIENTS

The calcium antagonist amlodipine may have the potential for expanded use in children owing to its physiochemistry and pharmacokinetic profi le that facilitates once-daily dosing in a liquid formulation, Its saf ety and efficacy have not been previously evaluated in children. A ret rospective analysis of 15 pediatric bone marrow transplant patients wh o had amlodipine incorporated into their antihypertensive drug regimen reveals significantly lower blood pressure as compared with baseline therapy (123.5 +/- 2.1 mmHg and 117.2 +/- 2.2 mmHg, systolic blood pre ssure before and during amlodipine, P < 0.05; 81.5 +/- 1.8 mmHg and 75 .5 +/- 2.6 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure before and during amlodipine , P < 0.05). Amlodipine provided improved blood pressure control in th is cohort and may provide a valuable pharmacologic alternative for tre atment of pediatric hypertension.