Nisoldipine coat core (CC) is a long-acting formulation of the
dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker nisoldipine, suitable for once-daily administration in the treatment of patients with
hypertension. Data are reported from three randomized, controlled trials. In two of these,
nisoldipine CC was shown to be equivalent in efficacy and tolerability to
atenolol in patients with mild to moderate
hypertension and to
enalapril in elderly patients with
hypertension. In a third study using ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in black patients with severe
hypertension,
nisoldipine CC maintained blood pressure control over the 24-hour dosing period. In addition, regression of left ventricular (LV) mass and improvement in LV function were observed at the end of the 4-month treatment period. Further data are presented from a pharmacokinetic pharmacodynamic modelling study investigating the potential effects of dose-dumping of
nisoldipine from the
controlled-release formulation, which may occur when the
drug is taken with food. This study illustrates the superior control of plasma
nisoldipine concentrations and blood pressure provided by the CC compared with an immediate-release formulation, and indicates that an interaction between
nisoldipine CC and food is unlikely to cause adverse events. The results of these trials provide further support for the use of
nisoldipine CC as an effective agent for the treatment of patients with
hypertension, providing consistent
antihypertensive efficacy and good tolerability with once-daily administration.