Efficacy, tolerability and safety of isradipine (Lomir) in the treatment of mild to moderate Tanzanian hypertensives.

Isradipine (Lomir) a new dihydropyridine calcium antagonist was evaluated for its efficacy, tolerability and safety among mild to moderate Tanzanian hypertensives. Twenty nine patients (7 males and 22 females), mean age 42.7 +/- 8.5 years entered active treatment phase, of the 16 week open label therapeutic trial. A mean decrease from base line in supine systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 17.6 mmHg (p < 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 13.5 mmHg (p < 0.001) were achieved at the end of the study period. The corresponding changes from base line in standing SBP and DBP were 18 mmHg (p < 0.001) and 13.5 mmHg (p < 0.001) respectively. The efficacy was excellent or good in 84% and fair or none in 16% of the study patients. The tolerability of the drugs was excellent or good in 88.8% of patients, fair in 7.4% and bad in 3.8%. The mild side effects included headache, palpitations, tiredness and nocturia. But these improved with continued treatment. Isradipine (Lomir) at a dose of 1.25mg to 2.5mg twice daily is effective, safe and tolerable in mild to moderate hypertension.