Antihypertensive Efficacy and Safe Use of Once-Daily Sustained-Release Diltiazem in the Elderly: A Comparison with Captopril

摘要: The efficacy and safety of sustained-release diltiazem, 200-300 mg once daily was compared with that captopril, 12.5 - 25 twice-daily, in 100 elderly patients (65 85 years old) mild to moderate essential hypertension (supine diastolic blood pressure 95 115 mmHg). All received placebo for 2 weeks, followed by an 8-week double-blind period, were randomized either diltiazem (n = 50) or captopril 50). Their measured at trough level week 4 immediately before dosing, i.e. 24 h post dose 12 dose. Also 4, non-responders, increased from 200 300 twice achieve a target supine reduction least 10 mmHg below 90 mmHg. Supine pressure, 8, significantly (P < 0.001) reduced 102 ± 1 103 89 bringing this parameter within normal limits both groups. systolic also reduced. Target achieved 68% taking 70% captopril. Distribution adverse events comparable groups ; no significant changes laboratory electrocardiographic parameters occurred. Two serious reported : one sudden death cerebrovascular stroke. Sustained-release day is convenient, well tolerated, first line treatment the elderly, whom possibility using two levels allows close regimen adjustment, being recommended as starting