Sustained-released verapamil and ambulatory recording of blood pressure in mild to moderate essential hypertension]

An open study in 25 patients evaluated the efficacy and safety of Isoptine S.R., in some cases associated with Aldactazine in mild to moderate essential hypertension. After a placebo period of 2 weeks, the patients received sustained release verapamil (240 mg/24 hours) in a single morning dose for 6 months. An increase in the dosage (360 mg/24 hours in two subdoses) could be made during the first month of treatment if the diastolic blood pressure remained greater than or equal to 95 mmHg. If the diastolic blood pressure persisted at these levels at the second monthly assessment, a tablet of Aldactazine was associated. The blood pressure was evaluated by means of conventional clinical determinations and 24-hour ambulatory recordings carried out at the time of inclusion and then after 3 and 6 months of treatment. From the first month of treatment, the casual blood pressure determinations in the supine and standing position fell highly significantly (p less than 0.0001), resulting in a mean reduction of 22.3 mmHg in the systolic blood pressure (-12.6%) and of 17.4 mmHg in the diastolic blood pressure (-17%). The ambulatory recordings of blood pressure also showed a significant reduction in the mean systolic blood pressure over 24 hours (p less than 0.05 at the 3rd month of treatment), in the mean diastolic blood pressure over 24 hours (p less than 0.01) and the mean pressure (p less than 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)