Effectiveness of a new calcium antagonist in severe hypertension.

Nitrendipine is a new nifedipine-like calcium antagonist antihypertensive agent. In this study, nitrendipine 5-40 mg orally bid was administered for up to three months to 16 patients with severe essential hypertension (untreated supine diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 115 mm Hg). Hydrochlorothiazide or propranolol or both were also given to patients who did not achieve goal blood pressure with nitrendipine alone. Five patients achieved goal blood pressure (supine less than or equal to 90 mm Hg) with nitrendipine alone and six more after the addition of a second drug, and only four required triple-drug therapy. One patient was terminated from the study because of headaches, a common nitrendipine side effect. This study demonstrates that nitrendipine is an effective and well-tolerated agent in the treatment of severe hypertension.