Efficacy of a new calcium antagonist PN 200-110 (isradipine) in angina pectoris.

Angina pectoris is one of the major syndromes against which to test the therapeutic effectiveness of any new calcium antagonist. An interim analysis of the efficacy and safety of a new dihydropyridine calcium antagonist (PN 200-110 [isradipine]) in patients with confirmed coronary artery disease is reported. The study was carried out in 3 centers; 50 patients of an anticipated 96 have completed the double-blind comparative phases in 3 separate studies. Preliminary results from the placebo-controlled study indicate that PN 200-110 was significantly more effective than placebo in reducing the anginal attack rate and glyceryl trinitrate consumption in the 15 patients so far enrolled. Dose-response comparisons against nifedipine in 21 patients and against isosorbide dinitrate in 14 patients demonstrate that PN 200-110 has a similar antianginal efficacy profile to both drugs. No significant change in any of the monitored safety factors was noted in any of the patients taking PN 200-110. The side-effects profile compared favorably with that of nifedipine. These interim results suggest that PN 200-110 will prove to be an effective and safe drug for the treatment of angina pectoris.