AMLODIPINE IN THE TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH STABLE ANGINA-PECTORIS -EVALUATION OF EFFICACY AND TOLERABILITY BASED ON CYCLE ERGOMETRIC STRESS-TESTING AND 24-HOUR HOLTER MONITORING

200 patients with stable exertional angina pectoris were treated with amlodipine 5 to 10mg once daily to assess the efficacy and safety of t his new dihydropyridine calcium antagonist over 12 weeks. Bicycle ergo metric stress testing demonstrated. increased exercise tolerance, with improvements in ischaemia and pain provoked by exertion. Patient diar y data and 24-hour ECG tracings both indicated significant reductions in the frequency of anginal episodes. The incidence of adverse effects was low. and most were mild and transient. Because of its long half-l ife, amlodipine can be taken once daily, and the high percentage uf pa tients completing treatment in this study suggests that this factor wa s associated with excellent patient compliance.