Barnidipine

Calcium antagonists inhibit smooth muscle contraction and thus have a negat ive vasodilatory (vasodepressive), inotropic and chronotropic (antiarrhythm ic) effect. This in turn means that they have an effect on arterial hyperte nsion, the various forms of angina and some forms of arrhythmia. Barnidipin e is a powerful vasoselective calcium antagonist and has been demonstrated to be effective and well tolerated in numerous tests. Because of its vasose lective activity, it does not alter cardiac conduction, nor does it have an y bradycardiac effect, meaning that it can be used without risk of adverse cardiac effects in treating arterial hypertension. Barnidipine has been sho wn to have advantages in this indication over other widely used calcium ant agonists because it is better tolerated and has more therapeutic efficacy. It is an excellent first-line drug for treating arterial hypertension and h as useful nephroprotective properties which complement its therapeutic effi cacy. It not only controls blood pressure levels but also prevents the morb idity associated with arterial hypertension. (C)2000 Prous Science. All rig hts reserved.