Monotherapy with nifedipine GITS compared with atenolol in stable angina pectoris. The Working Group on Cardiovascular Research (WCN).

Abstract This double-blind, randomised multicentre study compares nifedipine gastrointestinal therapeutic system (GITS) with atenolol in 129 male patients, with exercise-induced angina pectoris. At 4 weeks, there was no significant difference between nifedipine GITS 60 mg o.d. and atenolol 100 mg o.d., in respect of improved time to onset of 0.1 mV ST-segment depression, time to onset of pain, and total exercise time. Atenolol, but not nifedipine, significantly reduced heart rate and systolic blood pressure at rest and during exercise. There were significantly more vasodilator-related side effects with nifedipine. Nifedipine GITS and atenolol as once-daily monotherapy are equally effective and safe, but have different effects on exercise parameters.