Lercanidipine: a novel dihydropyridine calcium-channel blocker.

Calcium-channel blockers (CCBs) have been used for the treatment of hypertension for more than 20 years, and recent clinical trials support the efficacy and safety of long-acting dihydropyridine (DHP) CCBs for a wide spectrum of hypertensive patients, including diabetic hypertensive patients. DHP CCBs are effective agents overall and are particularly effective when used in combination with other agents. Lercanidipine is a novel DHP CCB effective for the treatment of mild-to-moderate hypertension. Compared with other DHP CCBs, lercanidipine has a molecular design that imparts greater solubility within the arterial cellular membrane bilayer, membrane-controlled kinetics, and a high cholesterol tolerance factor. These favorable membrane-controlled kinetics impart a gradual onset of vasodilation and a long duration of action. Further, the unique pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of lercanidipine appear to contribute to its efficacy and favorable safety profile. In clinical trials in the treatment of mild-to-moderate hypertension, lercanidipine was administered at a starting dose of 10 mg once daily, and increased to 20 mg once daily for nonresponders. Studies have shown that lercanidipine has a 24-hour antihypertensive effect and causes no significant increase in heart rate. Lercanidipine has been shown to be effective in a wide range of hypertensive patients, including mild-to-moderate hypertension, severe hypertension, the elderly, and those with isolated systolic hypertension. It is associated with a low rate of adverse events. Because of its efficacy and favorable safety profile, lercanidipine has the potential to improve blood pressure control in a wide range of patients, including those who have not responded to, or who have been unable to tolerate, other antihypertensive agents.