Efficacy and safety of amlodipine in vasospastic angina: An interim report of a multicenter, placebo-controlled trial

Abstract

Amlodipine demonstrated significant antianginal and antiischemic effects and was well tolerated, with a low incidence of serious side effects. The double product remained unchanged during exercise testing, suggesting that the antiischemic effects of amlodipine occur without a decrease in myocardial oxygen consumption. There was a reduction in angina1 episodes and nitroglycerin consumption during singleblind and double-blind active treatment but not during double-blind placebo therapy. Total exercise time, time to 1 mm ST segment depression, time to onset of angina, and maximal ST segment depression were improved by active compared with placebo therapy. In conclusion, amlodipine is well-tolerated and efficacious antiischemic and antianginal therapy for patients with chronic stable angina pectoris. In once-daily doses of 10 mg, amlodipine significantly reduces the number of angina1 attacks and consumption of sublingual nitroglycerin tablets. Amlodipine also improves exercise test variables as long as 24 hours after dosage.