Usefulness of nicardipine as monotherapy for chronic, stable angina.

Abstract

Using a double-blind, Latin square protocol designed to detect dose response, nicardipine hydrochloride, a new calcium antagonist, was studied as monotherapy for stable exertional angina. Eighty-one patients were enrolled in the trial and 62 patients were included in greater than or equal to 1 primary efficacy analyses. Patients received 1 to 2 weeks of placebo run-in, then 5 weeks of treatment with placebo and with 10, 20 and 30 mg of nicardipine given 3 times daily. Patients completed symptom diaries, were monitored with 24-hour electrocardiographic Holter monitors and underwent serial exercise treadmill tests. By 1 hour, 10, 20 and 30 mg of nicardipine administered 3 times daily produced statistically significant, dose-related improvements in all key exercise parameters, which persisted at the 4-hour evaluation. The systolic blood pressure at rest and during exercise decreased, but the pulse slightly increased. The peak rate-pressure product was unchanged. The side effects were not severe. Nicardipine hydrochloride is an effective, well-tolerated medication for the treatment of stable exertional angina, and is a good alternative to currently available calcium antagonists.

• Authors: J Sklar, G W Dennish 3rd, J Glode, N P Wyskoarko, T Giles, D Freedman, S G Buhite, S H Koretz, R L Roe
• Journal: The American journal of cardiology (Am J Cardiol) Vol. 63 Issue 17 Pg. 1203-7 (May 15 1989) ISSN: 0002-9149 [Print] United States
• PMID: 2711990 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Controlled Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Nicardipine

Topics

• Adult
• Angina Pectoris (drug therapy)
• Blood Pressure (drug effects)
• Chronic Disease
• Double-Blind Method
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Electrocardiography
• Exercise Test
• Heart Rate (drug effects)
• Humans
• Middle Aged
• Monitoring, Physiologic
• Nicardipine (adverse effects, therapeutic use)