Barnidipine: a new calcium channel blocker for hypertension treatment.

Although it is commonly agreed that all antihypertensive medications have similar efficacy, there are important differences related to safety, tolerability, patient adherence, cost effectiveness and effects on the prevention or retardation of associated disease progression. It is desirable for antihypertensives to have a long duration of action so that once-daily dosing is possible. In addition, antihypertensive medication must be able to be administered concomitantly with other drugs likely to be taken by the patients. This is particularly critical in the elderly population. Barnidipine, a novel, long-acting calcium antagonist, has met these challenges of modern pharmacotherapy. Its once-daily dosing, good tolerability and durable antihypertensive effect contribute to excellent patient adherence and make this drug a valuable addition to the antihypertensive formulary.