Slow-release verapamil 240 mg and treatment of mild to moderate hypertension
Amabile, G.; Hulin, P.; Wajman, A.; Serradimigni, A.; Bory, M.
Therapie 44(4): 275-278
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0040-5957 PMID: 2595646 Document Number: 327637
The study was carried out in association with medical practitioners who were responsible for observing the patients. Its aim was to determine the effective dosage of slow release verapamil (V) in the treatment of mild to moderate hypertension and to compare plasma concentrations of V with blood pressure effects. The study comprised a 2-week placebo period and a 3-month active treatment period with V, during which patients were examined, 20-24 h after last intake of V, at the end of the first (D30) and of the third (D90) month of treatment. Active treatment started with 240 mg of V (once a day); at D-30 if diastolic blood pressure (DBP) remained above 90 mmHg the dosage of V was increased to 480 mg (t.d.s.). At each examination blood pressure, body weight and heart rate were registered, electrocardiogram and routine biochemical tests were carried out; plasma concentration of V was measured at D30 for every patient and at D90 for those receiving 480 mg. of V. Thirty patients (11 men and 19 women) aged from 29 to 80 years (mean : 61.7) took part in the study. Treatment needed to be stopped in one patient; results are based on the other 29. At D30 systolic blood pressure (SBP) fell from 179.4 +/- 5.9 to 156.2 +/- 5,5 mmHg and DBP from 101.3 +/- 1.8 to 88.3 +/- 3 mmHg; DPB became normal (less than 90 mmHg) in 23 subjects.