FELODIPINE USE IN PREGNANCY - REPORT OF 3 CASES

BACKGROUND: Calcium channel blockers are effective agents for the mana gement of chronic hypertension and are being used with increasing freq uency. If their safety and efficacy during pregnancy can be documented , women can be counseled to continue their antihypertensive agent duri ng pregnancy. To our knowledge, the use of felodipine, a calcium chann el blocker of the dihydropyridine group, during pregnancy has not been described. CASES: We report three cases of felodipine use in pregnanc y by women with chronic hypertension. CONCLUSION: In women with severe hypertension (diastolic blood pressure >100 mm Hg) who require pharma cologic treatment of it during pregnancy, felodipine appears to be an acceptable option.