DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2017.v5i08.034

Pages: 3141-3144

Cardiovascular diseases are major causes of death and disability across the world. Calcium channel blockers are a heterogeneous group of drugs comprising of elements with varied properties. This study compared the effects of cilnidipine and amlodipine on ambulatory BP and pulse rate using ambulatory BP monitoring in patients with essential hypertension. Cilnidipine was administered in 50 patients orally once daily at an initial dose of 10 mg for 4 weeks. If the BP remained high (BP≥140/90 mmHg), the dose was increased to 20 mg once daily for another 4 weeks. Amlodipine were administered in other 50 patients orally once daily at an initial dose of 5 mg for 4 weeks. Dose of amlodipine was increased by 5 mg once daily when BP was not successfully controlled. All patients were studied for 12 weeks. The 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) was performed at 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Effects of cilnidipine and amlodipine on 24 hours blood pressure and pulse rate. 24 hours systolic and diastolic blood pressures were controlled in both groups without any statistically difference. But in amlodipine group, 24 hours pulse rate was significantly higher than cilnidipine group. Higher heart rate is associated with a long term risk of cardiovascular mortality. Therefore antihypertensive drugs that do not increase the heart rate are preferable. Thus cilnidipine is beneficial drug for hypertension treatment as this does not cause reflex tachycardia.