Efficacy Of Felodipine In Hypertensive Patients

Abstract

Introduction:
Vasodilators are used commonly as first line of treatment in patients with established hypertension as peripheral vascular resistance is usually inc reased in these patients. Felodipine, a dihydropyrid ine derivative, structurally related to nifidepine, inhibits vascular smooth muscle contractile activ ity.

Patients and Method:
Thirtytwo patients (21 females and 11 males) with mild to moderate hypertension were selected for this study. All patients were put on active treatm ent for 12 weeks after 2 weeks placebo treatm ent. Previously untreated patients or newly diagn osed patients were put on 5mg Felodipine/day for 2 weeks. If blood pressure was not controlled then the dose was increased to 10mg/day for another two weeks.

Discussion:
Beta blockers, or diuretics or methyldopa were used for a long time as the 1st drug of choice for treatment of hypertension. But now the trend is changing. Other drugs like vasodilators are in use now, some vasodilators have some limitations like hydraizine may cause systemic lupus erythmatos us. Prazosin dilates both arteries and veins which may cause orthostatic hypotension.