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Nicardipine and hydrochlorothiazide in essential hypertension
Author(s) -
Fagan Timothy C,
Brown Ronald,
Schnaper Harold,
Smolens Peter,
Montijo Michael,
Michelson Eric,
Conrad Kenneth A,
Lessem Jan,
Freedman Donna
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
clinical pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.941
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1532-6535
pISSN - 0009-9236
DOI - 10.1038/clpt.1989.51
Subject(s) - nicardipine , hydrochlorothiazide , supine position , medicine , blood pressure , essential hypertension , vasodilation , anesthesia
Nicardipine is an investigational dihydropyridine calcium channel blocking agent. One hundred fifty‐one patients with hypertension received either 30 mg nicardipine t.i.d. or 25 mg hydrochlorothiazide b.i.d. in a double‐blind, randomized, multicenter trial. After 4 weeks of therapy and at the end of the dosing interval, nicardipine reduced arterial pressure by 10/6 mm Hg and 12/6 mm Hg in the supine and standing positions, respectively (all p < 0.01). In the hydrochlorothiazide group, the reductions were 12/6 mm Hg and 14/6 mm Hg, respectively (all p < 0.01). The maximum reduction in blood pressure of 16/14 mm Hg supine and 20/15 mm Hg standing occurred within 1 hour after administration of nicardipine. The mean reduction in the hydrochlorothiazide group after 1 hour was 14/11 mm Hg supine and 16/12 mm Hg standing. Neither drug affected autonomic reflexes associated with maximum exercise. Nicardipine increased urinary sodium excretion during the 4‐hour period after the first dose. Adverse effects of nicardipine were primarily extensions of its vasodilator effect and included flushing, headache, and edema. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1989) 45, 429–438; doi: 10.1038/clpt.1989.51