Long Term Experience of Felodipine in Combination with β-Blockade and Diuretics in Refractory Hypertension:

Felodipine, a new dihydropyridine, was given to 58 hypertensive patients in combination with an adrenergic β- receptor antagonist and a diuretic agent. In all but 2 patients the blood pressure was unsatisfactorily controlled on standard triple therapy, i.e. a β- blocker, a diuretic and a vasodilator. A 48-week follow-up was completed by 54 patients. After an initial dose titration period, the maintenance dose of felodipine was 5mg twice daily in 14 patients and 10mg twice daily in 34 patients. In the remaining 6 patients, the dose ranged from 5mg every morning to 25mg twice daily. The dosages of β- blocking agent and diuretic were considerably reduced during the study period.