DRUG REACTIONS

Once-daily nilvadipine more tolerable than thrice-daily nifedipine

A once-daily dose of nilvadipine was as effective and more tolerable than thrice-daily dosing with nifedipine, according to a multicentre trial.

In this study, patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension received 16 weeks' treatment with nilvadipine (8mg for 4 weeks increased to 16mg if BP reduction was not satisfactory; n = 326) or nifedipine (I Omg tid increased to 20mg tid as for nilvadipine; 333). Dosage increases were required in 31 and 30% of nilvadipine and nifedipine recipients, respectively.

Significantly fewer nilvadipine compared with nifedipine recipients developed raised ALT levels during treatment, and neither calcium antagonist had an adverse effect on lipid metabolism.

238 adverse effects were reported by 103 (32%) nilvadipine recipients and 285 were reported by 122 (37%) nifedipine recipients. Furthermore, significantly fewer nilvadipine compared with nifedipine recipients withdrew because of adverse effects (51's II %).

The most frequent adverse effects reported in both groups were flushing headache. palpitations and oedema. Flushing and oedema were reported much less frequently with nilvadipine than with nifedipine. Fauq G. The tolerability of nilvadipine compared to nifedipine in patients with e"ential hypertension. Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology 20 (Supp!. 6): 56-61. 1992 "w,-"""

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INPHARMAfJ 30 Jan 1993