Treatment of stable angina pectoris with verapamil hydrochloride: a double blind cross-over study

Verapamil hydrochloride, a calcium antagonist, has been recommendedfor the treatment of angina pectoris. The effectiveness of 3x 120 mg verapamil was tested in 33 male patients with stableangina pectoris. The drug reduced the incidence of anginal episodesfrom 15 (1–98) to two (0–85) in four weeks (median,range); P < 0.01. The nitroglycerin consumption was similarlyreduced. Exercise tolerance on a bicycle ergometer improvedon the average by 10 W(P < 0.05). No side effects were observed. It is concluded that verapamil is an effective drug in the treatmentof stable angina pectoris.