Clinical efficacy of an extended release preparation of a second generation calcium antagonist felodipine in patients with essential hypertension (hypertensive disease)

Efficacy of extended release felodipine (5-10 mg/day for 4 weeks) was studi ed in 31 patients with stage I-II essential hypertension (hypertensive dise ase). Control consisted of clinical examination, 24-hour blood pressure mon itoring and assessment of parameters of central hemodynamics by echocardiog raphy. Felodipine caused significant lowering of systolic and diastolic blo od pressure. Antihypertensive effect of felodipine was predominantly due to reduction of vascular peripheral resistance. Addition of beta-blockers and /or diuretics augmented antihypertensive effect. Most frequent side effect was dose-dependent tachycardia which could be easily attenuated by compleme ntary beta-blocker.