Efficacy and tolerability of felodipine based antihypertensive therapy in hospitalized patients with hypertension

Aim. To compare efficacy and tolerability of felodipine based antihypertensive therapy with those of standard hospital treatment of hypertension. Material. Inhospital patients were randomized 1:2 to standard antihypertensive therapy or to therapy which included felodipine (n=50 and 100, 36 and 35% men, mean age 66.0 +/- 8.4 and 64.3 +/- 8.1 years, initial blood pressure 162.4 +/- 9.3/99.3 +/- 6.4 and 163.2 +/- 10.3/98.2 +/- 6.5 mm Hg, respectively). Felodipine was used: (1) as first drug with subsequent addition of other drugs as required; (2) after cessation of previously ineffective therapy; (3) in cases of intolerance to previous therapy, (4) as supplementation to previously insufficiently effective therapy. Results. At discharge in felodipine group 6, 25, 29 and 40% of patients received mono- (felodipine 10 mg/day), 2, 3 and 4 component therapy, respectively. in standard treatment group all patients received combination therapy with 3 (48%) or 4 (52%) drugs. Felodipine group compared with group of standard therapy was characterized by less frequent correction of anti hypertensive therapy (0.8+/-0.6 and 2.2 +/- 0.9, p<0.05), smaller number of drugs used (3.03 +/- 0.95 and 3.52 +/- 0.5. p<0.01), more frequently achievement of target blood pressure level (88 and 64%. p=0.0075), less pronounced difference between morning and evening self-measured blood pressure. Conclusion. The use of felodipine in hospitalized patients with hypertension allowed achieving target blood pressure with fewer drugs. Felodipine was safe and well tolerated.