Antihypertensive efficacy of carvedilol and amlodipine in patients of mild to moderate hypertension - A comparative study

In this prospective randomized parallel study, the antihypertensive effect of oral carvedilol and amlodipine was evaluated on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in patients of mild to moderate hypertension over a period of 12 weeks. Eighty two patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were randomized to receive amlodipine (n=42) 5-10mg/day and carvedilol (n=40) 25-50mg/day. Blood pressure was recorded in the sitting and standing position during follow up visits at 2,4,8 and 12 weeks using mercury sphygmomanometer. Dosage adjustments if needed were made at 4 and 8 weeks of study. Both carvedilol and amlodipine produced a statistically significant (P<0.001) and dose related fall in SBP and DBP, which became evident at two weeks of initiation of therapy and continued till 12 weeks. On comparative analysis of the effect of carvedilol and amlodipine on BP, amlodipine produced a greater fall in sitting and standing SBP at all study intervals as compared to carvedilol, with statistically significant fall at 8 and 12 weeks (P<0.01). However, the fall in sitting and standing DBP was statistically comparable with both the drugs. The findings of the present study indicate that carvedilol has become an alternative treatment for mild to moderate hypertension.