Efficacy and tolerability of a new calcium antagonist (nitrendipine) in the treatment of hypertension

Purpose: Assess the efficacy and tolerability of nitrendipine, 20 mg/day, in mild to moderate essential hypertension (diastolic blood pressure 95 to 114 mmHg). Material e Methods: Twenty patients in an open comparative trial (drug x placebo) during six weeks. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured in ortostatic and supine position and after hand-grip manewre every two weeks. Results: Systolic and diastolic blood pressure fell significatively in the treated group by the end of the study-supine (161 mmHg ± 11 to 138 mmHg ± 13 and 105 ± 5 to 81 mmHg ± 7 p < 0,05) and ortostatic position (153 mmHg ± 13 to 132 mmHg ± 13 and 104 mmHg ± 15 to 81 mmHg ± 7, p < 0,05) and after hand grip maneuver (170 mmHg ± 21 to 148 mmHg ± 22 and 108 mmHg ± 5 to 85 mmHg ± 7 p< 0,051. Significant modifications were not observed in systolic and diastolic blood pressure in placebo group under the following conditions: supine (168 mmHg ± 8 to 168 mmHg ± 17 and 107 mmHg ± 5 to 107 mmHg ± 3) and ortostatic positions (167 mmHg ± 9 to 163 mmHg ± 14 and 107 mmHg ± 5 to 107 mmHg ± 4) and after hand grip maneuore (178 mmHg ± 17 to 173 mmHg ± 16 and 107 mmHg ± 4 to 108 mmHg ± 6). Significant changes in heart rate did not occur in both groups after treatment. Heart rate elevation observed after hand grip maneuvre did not change. Adverse effects like headache, palpitation and dizziness occurred in both groups. Eletrocardiogram, x-ray and blood chemistries were not modified during the trial...