The impact of lacidipine, a novel dihydropyridine calcium antagonist, on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism

In an open, multicenter study, the calcium antagonist lacidipine was tested for efficacy and safety, particularly with respect to any influence on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. The study was performed in 2,127 patients with essential hypertension. The patients were treated orally, with lacidipine in a dosage of 2-6 mg once; daily for 48 weeks. Lacidipine significantly reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 20 +/- 17 mm Hg and 14 +/- 10 mm Hg; respectively, from baseline values (both p < 0.0001). Decreases in blood pressure were achieved without any adverse effects on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, either in the total group or in subsets of diabetic or hyperlipidemic patients. It is concluded that lacidipine is a safe and effective drug in the long-term antihypertensive treatment of patients with essential hypertension and with concomitant metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus or dyslipidemia.