Nifedipine retard in the treatment of hypertension. A study using ambulatory blood pressure recordings.

The subjects were 24 patients, aged 37 to 66 years, with mild to moderate hypertension, treated with nifedipine retard (mean dose, 47 mg daily) for 7 to 16 weeks. The mean 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (BP) declined significantly from 158/101 before treatment to 136/87 mmHg after treatment. Daytime BP declined from 160/101 to 133/86 mmHg and nighttime BP from 152/98 to 132/85 mmHg; the diurnal variation in diastolic BP was lost during treatment with nifedipine. The consecutive hourly BPs were all significantly lower after treatment. BPs in response to physiologic tests were significantly reduced after treatment. Heart rate increased significantly during treatment. Side effects (palpitations, pedal edema, and flushing of the face) were reported by four patients. It is concluded that nifedipine retard is safe and effective in the treatment of mild to moderate hypertension.