EFFICACY AND TOLERABILITY OF SLOW-RELEASE GALLOPAMIL IN PATIENTS WITH STABLE EXERCISE-INDUCIBLE ANGINA-PECTORIS

The anti-ischemic properties and tolerability of a slow-release formulation (SR) of gallopamil were investigated in 118 patients with exercise-inducible ST-segment depression and stable angina pectoris in this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter study. After a placebo run-in period (A) of 2-7 days and a 7-day open therapy period (B) with gallopamil SR, the patients were randomized to a double-blind 7-day period (C) to receive placebo or gallopamil SR 100 mg twice a day. Each patient was submitted to gradual upright bicycle ergometry and electrocardiography (ECG) at rest on the last 2 days of each period at 6 and 12 h postadministration (p.a.) In period C, exercise time and exercise tolerance remained significantly prolonged at 6 and 12 h after gallopamil SR administration in comparison with the placebo values. Additionally the sum of ST-segment depression and maximal ST-segment depression were significantly reduced by gallopamil SR at 6 h p.a. as were the frequency of angina attacks and nitroglycerin consumption. Four patients were withdrawn from the study because of gallopamil-related adverse events, which, however, were not serious. Constipation was noted in 2.5% of the patients. These data suggest that gallopamil SR is effective in reducing exercise-inducible ST-segment depression and increasing exercise tolerance with no serious adverse effects in patients with stable angina pectoris.