AMLODIPINE IN THE TREATMENT OF MILD-TO-MODERATE ESSENTIAL-HYPERTENSION

To evaluate the antihypertensive effect and safety of amlodipine, the drug was administered for 8 to 12 weeks to 21 Nigerian patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension. After a washout period of 1 week, amlodipine was administered at a dose of 5 mg once daily for 2 weeks and increased to 10 mg once daily if the patient's diastolic blood pressure did not fall to less than or equal to 90 mm Hg. Heart rate, blood pressure, and adverse drug reactions were monitored at 2-week intervals. Compliance was assessed by pill count. Nineteen patients completed the study. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly reduced in all patients. Amlodipine monotherapy achieved effective reduction of diastolic blood pressure to less than or equal to 90 mm Hg in 95% of the cases. Heart rate did not change. Adverse events were generally mild and included increased micturition or polyuria, headache, dizziness, pitting leg edema, and abdominal discomfort with mild diarrhea. We conclude that monotherapy with amlodipine 5 to 10 mg/day is well tolerated and effective in controlling mild-to-moderate essential hypertension.