Effects of antihypertensive drugs on SBP variability are dose-dependent and persist when used in combinations .
Use of a high dose of a calcium channel blocker alone or in combination with other agents is therefore likely to be particularly effective in prevention of stroke
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Recent studies have shown that visit-to-visit blood pressure variability is a powerful risk factor for stroke , is reduced by calcium channel blockers and diuretics , and increased by β-blockers .
However , it is unknown whether these effects are dose-dependent and persist in combination with other drugs .
Efficacy and Tolerability of the New Calcium Antagonist Isradipine in Essential Hypertension
The antihypertensive efficacy and tolerability of the new calcium antagonist isradipine was assessed in 86 hypertensive patients who had pretreatment diastolic blood pressures ( DBP ) ± 105 mm Hg and who were r and omly allocated to a double-blind comparison of three different dosage regimens : 1.25 mg  , 2.5 mg , and 5 mg b.i.d  . , and placebo . A 2-week run-in period was followed by a 4-week course of treatment . Isradipine  reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressures dose-dependently : the normalization rate ( DBP ± 90 mm Hg ) was 5 % with placebo and 29 , 55 , and 64 % , with isradipine 1.25 , 2.5 , and 5 mg b.i.d . , respectively . The proportion of patients experiencing at least a 10 mm Hg reduction in sitting DBP was 29 , 67 , 86 , and 91 % , respectively . All three dosages proved to he significantly effective compared to placebo . Neither heart rate nor blood pressure regulation in orthostasis were influenced . The main side effects were headache , dizziness , and flushing : isradipine 1.25 and 2.5 mg b.i.d . were well tolerated ( not significantly different from placebo ) . In conclusion , isradipine 2.5 mg h.i.d . appears to he the potential dose of first choice , exhibiting a favorable benefit-risk profile
Effects of antihypertensive drugs on SBP variability are dose-dependent and persist when used in combinations .
Use of a high dose of a calcium channel blocker alone or in combination with other agents is therefore likely to be particularly effective in prevention of stroke
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Recent studies have shown that visit-to-visit blood pressure variability is a powerful risk factor for stroke , is reduced by calcium channel blockers and diuretics , and increased by β-blockers .
However , it is unknown whether these effects are dose-dependent and persist in combination with other drugs .