Influence of baseline values on lipids and lipoprotein changes during amlodipine treatment of hypertension.

Twenty adult hypertensive patients classified as having 'low', 'medium' and 'high' baseline values, underwent plasma lipids and lipoproteins assessment after 12 weeks treatment with amlodipine. For the patients with low baseline values, the mean triglycerides and very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels increased after amlodipine therapy. No significant variation was observed in the mean values of the lipids and lipoproteins before and after amlodipine therapy for the patients with 'medium baseline values', while in patients with 'high baseline values', mean low density lipoprotein-cholesterol decreased after amlodipine therapy. These findings therefore suggest that the levels of the baseline lipid and lipoprotein profiles may have a significant influence on the lipid altering actions of amlodipine pharmacotherapy.