[24-hour blood pressure decrease with nifedipine with a new galenic action].

OBJECTIVE: Testing of the blood pressure-lowering effect of a slow-release (24 hours) nifedipine preparation. STUDY DESIGN: Single blind, randomized placebo controlled, single cross-over test; duration eight days. PATIENTS: 18 inpatients with essential hypertension and a blood pressure of more than 160/95 mmHg. MEDICATION: A single 60 mg slow-release nifedipine tablet (Aprical long 60 mg) administered daily at 1800 hours. MEASURING PARAMETERS: Pulse and blood pressure measured after 3, 12, 15, 18, 20, 22 and 24 hours post-administration. RESULTS: Even 18 to 24 hours after administration, the systolic blood pressure was reduced on average by 20 mmHg, the diastolic pressure by 14 mmHg. In the case of the test substance, the percentage of blood pressures in the target range (less than 160/95 mmHg) was 40 percentage points (systolic) and 49 percentage points (diastolic) higher than in the case of placebo. In 15 patients, both systolic and diastolic blood pressure was maintained within the defined target range for 24 hours. Reflex tachycardia was not observed, while other side effects such as headache, flushing, hot flashes, and leg edema occurred only rarely. There was evidence that an evening administration of the drug had a favorable effect on the morning blood pressure increase.