Nisoldipine in the treatment of essential hypertension. Efficacy and tolerance

The antihypertensive effect after a single dose of one tablet of Nisoldilpine (Bay k 5552) containing 5 mg, 10 mg or 20 mg respectively, was tested in a double-blind cross-over trial with intra-individual comparison on 60 patients with stable essential hypertension. Mean age was 51.6 +/- 7.1 years, mean body-weight 78.0 +/- 11.8 kg, mean height 169.8 +/- 8.2 cm and mean duration of illness 6.1 +/- 4.3 years. 34 patients were in WHO stage I, 24 in stage II. After 5 mg nisoldipine the blood pressure fell from 150/96 to 135/92 mm Hg, after 10 mg from 153/98 to 130/88 mm Hg and after 20 mg from 149/97 to 127/84 mm Hg. Compared with placebo pre-test levels there was also a significant reduction in blood-pressure at an exercise level of 100 W. Side effects were rare and dose-dependent.