Therapeutic effect of amlodipine versus benidipine in the management of essential hypertension – A comparative study

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a significant risk factor for atherosclerotic diseases. Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are extensively used in hypertension treatments that effectively reduce blood pressure. The dihydropyridine category of CCBs, which includes amlodipine and the new generation CCB benidipine, has shown the best outcomes. Aims and Objectives: The aims of the study were to compare the effectiveness of amlodipine and benidipine in treating uncomplicated hypertension in patients visiting tertiary care facilities. Materials and Methods: A source of 134 participants of both genders diagnosed with uncomplicated hypertension with blood pressure ≥140/90 mm Hg, between 21 and 65 years of age were recruited. Participants were randomly allocated and treated with amlodipine 2.5 mg for Group A and benidipine 4 mg once a day in the morning. Details of ankle edema were collected and serum creatinine and urine albumin data were recorded at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. Results: The ankle edema was observed in 35.82% of cases in Group A and 10.44% in Group B. The mean serum creatinine level was 0.92 mg/dl in Group A and 0.87 mg/dl in Group B. The mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) was 151.7 mm Hg and 153.9 mm Hg at baseline, which was reduced to 132.58 mm Hg and 128.44 mm Hg after drug therapy in Groups A and B, respectively. The mean diastolic blood pressure was 97.14 mm Hg and 98.96 mm Hg before therapy, which was reduced to 82.4 mm Hg and 82.2 mm Hg after therapy, respectively. Conclusion: Amlodipine and benidipine are similarly effective antihypertensive medications on their own. However, compared to the amlodipine-treated group, the benidipine-treated group displayed a significant reduction in the mean difference in SBP.