to amlodipine in the treatment of hypertension. METHODS: Patients of the Outpatient Clinic of Cheyenne Veterans. Affairs Medical Center, Wyoming, receivingĀ ...
RESEARCH REPORTS Cardiology
Evaluation of Amlodipine Dosing for Conversion of Nifedipine Extended-Release to Amlodipine in the Treatment of Hypertension Weeranuj Yamreudeewong, Valerie J Halverson, Dennis L Lower, David M Kilpatrick, Ann M Enlow, and George Montopoli
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the appropriate dosing of amlodipine when converting patients from nifedipine extended-release (nifedipine ER) to amlodipine in the treatment of hypertension. METHODS: Patients of the Outpatient Clinic of Cheyenne Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Wyoming, receiving nifedipine ER for the management of hypertension (systolic BP or SBP >140 mm Hg and diastolic BP or DBP >90 mm Hg), participated in this study. Nifedipine ER was changed to amlodipine on entry into this study. An inclusion criterion was the BP had to be under control (SBP 90 mm Hg) participated in this study. The study was approved by the institutional review board of the hospital. Informed consent was obtained from each patient prior to initiation of the study. The duration of this study was approximately one and one-half years (July 1995 to January 1997). Other concurrent medical problems in the participants included coronary heart disease, benign prostatic hyperplasia, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, respiratory diseases (e.g., asthma), multiple sclerosis, and arthritis. Fifteen of these patients were receiving other drugs that may affect the BP (e.g., angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, diuretics, and Ī±1-blockers). However, dosages of these drugs were kept constant during the study period. The inclusion criteria were the following: (1) outpatients who were receiving nifedipine ER for the treatment of hypertension; (2) BP must be adequately controlled by nifedipine ER, which was defined as SBP
