Difference In Blood Pressure Reduction Research Articles

Felodipine Extended-Release Tablets Once Daily Are Equivalent to Plain Tablets Twice Daily in Treating Hypertension

The efficacy of and tolerance to felodipine given as extended-release (ER) tablets once daily (o.d.) and the plain tablets twice daily (b.i.d.) were compared in this study. After a 4-week period on placebo and a beta-blocker, 102 patients who had a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in the supine position greater than 95 mm Hg were randomized to treatment with felodipine ER tablets 10 mg o.d. (n = 50) or plain tablets 5 mg b.i.d. (n = 52). If the DBP was greater than 90 mm Hg after 2 weeks, the dose was doubled. The total treatment time on felodipine was 6 weeks. Blood pressure (BP) was measured 2 h after the dose and at the end of the dosing interval, i.e., 24 h after ER and 12 h after plain tablets. Both formulations reduced BP significantly (15/12 mm Hg in the ER and 13/11 mm Hg in the plain tablet group, at the end of the dosing interval). No differences in BP reduction were seen between the groups. The proportion of responders was 71% on ER and 65% on plain tablets 24 and 12 h, respectively, after dose intake, and greater than 90% in both groups, when measured 2 h after dose. Ankle swelling and flushing were the most frequently reported adverse events. Eight patients (three on ER) were withdrawn, most of them due to vasodilatory side effects. Felodipine ER once daily was as effective and tolerable as plain tablets b.i.d.

Comparison of the antihypertensive effects of betaxolol to atenolol

A randomized double-blind multicenter study compared a new oral β 1-adrenergic antagonist, betaxolol 10 to 40 mg (n = 71), with atenolol 25 to 100 mg (n = 75). Each drug was administered once daily for 24 weeks in patients with mild to moderate hypertension. Blood pressure (BP) measurements were taken 24 hours after dosing. Each drug produced significant (p < 0.01) reductions in mean supine diastolic BP. The mean decrease in supine diastolic BP with betaxolol was significantly greater at weeks 4, 6, 10 and 12 (p < 0.05). Throughout the remainder of the trial (weeks 14 to 24), no significant differences in BP reduction were noted between treatment groups. Normotension (supine diastolic BP <90 mm Hg) was achieved in 72% of those given betaxolol compared with 52% of those given atenolol (p < 0.05). The most common side effects noted were bradycardia, fatigue and headache. The incidence of these and of central nervous system side effects was similar between the betaxolol and atenolol groups. Both agents were well tolerated. At recommended doses, betaxolol once daily may be more effective than atenolol once daily in patients with mild to moderate hypertension.