Clinical efficacy and tolerability of isradipine in the treatment of mild-to-moderate hypertension in young and elderly patients.

The clinical efficacy and tolerability of isradipine was evaluated in 63 patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension [supine systolic blood pressure (SBP) greater than or equal to 160 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) greater than or equal to 95 mm Hg]. Patients were divided into two groups according to age: group A (n = 41), aged 37-69 years (mean age of 54 +/- 7 years); group B (n = 22), aged 70-80 years (mean age of 72.8 +/- 2.4 years). After a 3-week washout period, group A received 2.5 mg of isradipine twice daily for 6 weeks. Group B received 1.25 mg of isradipine initially, increasing to 2.5 mg twice daily according to treatment response and tolerability. At the end of treatment (week 6), there were statistically significant decreases (p less than 0.01) in supine SBP and DBP in both groups compared with baseline values: the mean SBP in groups A and B decreased from 160.0 +/- 14.7 to 133.6 +/- 10.0 mm Hg and from 161.6 +/- 17.8 to 134.8 +/- 10.9 mm Hg, respectively; the mean DBP in groups A and B decreased from 101.3 +/- 3.0 to 83.6 +/- 5.5 mm Hg and from 101.3 +/- 8.4 to 84.2 +/- 3.6 mm Hg, respectively. Clinical and laboratory parameters did not change significantly during treatment. Side effects (headache, flushing, palpitations, and edema) were mild/moderate and disappeared after the first 2 weeks of treatment. In conclusion, 2.5 mg of isradipine twice daily is effective and well tolerated in the treatment of mild-to-moderate hypertension regardless of patient age.