Antihypertensive effect of nicardipine hydrochloride in essential hypertension.

The antihypertensive effect of a new calcium antagonist, nicardipine hydrochloride (YC-93), was studied in 47 mild to moderate essential hypertensives. YC-93 (30-60 mg/day) was administered orally alone for 8 weeks (Group I, 31 patients) or in combination with diuretics, beta blockers, or both (Group II, 16 patients). Blood pressure was reduced from 173.6 +/- 2.2/103.5 +/- 1.7 to 139.7 +/- 2.0/87.2 +/- 1.1 mmHg in Group I and from 172.9 +/- 3.9/108.9 +/- 2.9 to 140.5 +/- 2.3/89.5 +/- 2.5 mm Hg in Group II. Pulse rate was not altered in Group I but increased transiently in Group II. The side effects seen in seven patients were mostly related to the vasodilatation and were generally transient and mild. These results indicate that YC-93 is an effective antihypertensive drug for the treatment of essential hypertension.