Nitrendipine in hypertension that is difficult to control.

Fifty-five patients suffering from essential or renal hypertension who had been insufficiently treated previously with combination therapy using diuretics and beta-blockers as well as reserpine, clonidine, prazosin, captopril, or minoxidil have been included in this open study. In addition to receiving diuretics and beta-blockers alone or in combination with reserpine, clonidine, or methyldopa, the patients were given nitrendipine in a dose of 2 X 20 to 2 X 40 mg/day. A normalisation of blood pressure values was attained in 46 of the 55 patients; 18 of these patients have been treated for more than 1 year. Few side-effects were observed. Dizziness and ankle oedema each occurred once. A rash occurred in one patient, causing the withdrawal of nitrendipine. No complaints of headache and palpitations were made. It may be concluded that nitrendipine is well suited as a partner in the combination treatment of patients with essential or renal hypertension that is difficult to stabilise.