EFFECTS OF FELODIPINE EXTENDED-RELEASE ON QUALITY-OF-LIFE - AN ANALYSIS OF 4 CLINICAL-TRIALS

The effects of treatment with felodipine extended release (ER) in monotherapy or in combination with either a beta-blocker or an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor on the quality of life are summarized. A total of 452 patients (men and women with mild-to-moderate hypertension) were included in the four trials, which had been primarily designed to evaluate drug efficacy in terms of blood pressure control. Quality of life was assessed using the Subjective Symptom Assessment Profile and the Psychological General Well-Being index. The observed changes in quality of life were generally very small and consistent throughout the four studies despite the comparatively small number of patients in each group. Although expected class-specific side-effect symptoms occurred, felodipine ER was well tolerated and did not compromise patient general well-being. It is concluded that felodipine ER, as monotherapy or in combination with either a beta-blocker or an ACE inhibitor, maintained the quality of life in hypertensive patients.