Efficacy and Tolerability of Amlodipine in Patients with Stable Angina Pectoris

Abstract

The efficacy and tolerability of amlodipine 5 to 10mg once daily was assessed in a noncomparative multicentre study that recruited 2908 patients with stable exertional angina pectoris. 1995 patients were evaluated for efficacy and the entire study population was evaluated for tolerability. After 12 weeks of treatment, amlodipine was associated with an increase in exercise tolerance and a delay in the onset of angina and ST depression during ergometric stress testing. In 818 patients, chest pain disappeared at the end of the study period. Heart rate was essentially unaffected by treatment, although significant reductions in mean arterial blood pressure were observed in a proportion of patients with hypertension. The incidence of adverse events was low and a high percentage of patients completed treatment. Thus, amlodipine appears to be a valid and well tolerated therapeutic option for the treatment of patients with stable angina pectoris.