Efficacy of nicardipine slow release (SR) on hypertension, potassium balance and plasma aldosterone in idiopathic aldosteronism.

We evaluated the efficacy and tolerance of a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist, nicardipine slow release, in eight patients with idiopathic aldosternism. Nicardipine (80 mg/day) was given orally for 12 weeks and no dietary restrictions were imposed. During the study measurements were made of supine blood pressure, plasma renin activity, plasma aldosterone concentration, and serum potassium. Nicardipine lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure to normal, plasma aldosterone was reduced and serum potassium levels were increased. Basal renin concentration was not altered by nicardipine. There were no side effects sufficient to cause withdrawal from the study. These results suggest that nicardipine, for efficacy and tolerance, may represent an alternative among Ca2+ channel blockers, either controlling blood pressure or reducing aldosterone levels in patients with idiopathic aldosteronism.