Chronotherapeutic delivery of verapamil in obese versus non-obese patientswith essential hypertension

Background: The effect of controlled-onset, extended-release (COER) verapam il on haemodynamic parameters in obese and non-obese patients is evaluated in this analysis. Methods: Data were pooled from three clinical trials evaluating efficacy an d tolerability of COER-verapamil, Hypertensive men and women (stage I to II I) were randomised to COER-verapamil (180-540 mg at bedtime) or placebo for 4-8 weeks and stratified according to body mass index (BMI-obese >28 kg/m( 2)), Efficacy was assessed as change from baseline in blood pressure (BP), heart rate, and rate-pressure product during four time periods throughout t he dosing interval. Safety and tolerability were assessed by monitoring all adverse events and changes in metabolic laboratory parameters. Results: Reductions in all haemodynamic parameters were significantly great er following COER-verapamil compared with placebo for all time periods. The haemodynamic effects of COER-verapamil in obese (n = 166, BMI = 32.8 kg/m( 2)) and non-obese patients (n = 115, BMI = 25.0 kg/m(2)) were similar. COER -verapamil was well tolerated in both subgroups, but the incidence of const ipation was significantly less in obese patients (P < 0.001), Conclusions: COER-verapamil is effective in reducing BP, heart rate, and ra te-pressure product independently of BMI.