EFFECTS OF AMLODIPINE ON 24-H AMBULATORY BLOOD-PRESSURE IN PATIENTS WITH ESSENTIAL-HYPERTENSION

An open study was performed to examine amlodipine, a new antagonist of the dihydropyridine type. Duration of the antihypertensive activity of amlodipine was determined using an automatic device for long-term blood pressure measurements (SpaceLabs 90207). The study included 18 patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension. An 8-week study revealed the following: - One single morning dose of amlodipine achieved an effective 24-h blood pressure reduction. - The physiological circadian rhythm of blood pressure regulation was not disturbed by the effective blood pressure reduction achieved by amlodipine. - There were no abrupt changes in blood pressure following administration of amlodipine and no rapid early morning elevations of blood pressure preceding the next dose. - One single dose of amlodipine thus achieves a 24-h antihypertensive effect while at the same time being well-tolerated.