Amlodipine - a third generation dihydropyridine calcium antagonist

Journal of Clinical and Basic Cardiology 1999; 2 (1): 45-52

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Keywords: Amlodipin,  arterielle Hypertonie,  Diabetes mellitus,  Dihydropyridin,  Kalziumantagonist,  Koronare Herzkrankheit,  linksventrikuläre Hypertrophie,  amlodipine,  arterial hypertension,  calcium antagonist,  coronary artery disease,  Diabetes mellitus,  dihydropyridine,  left ventricular hypertrophy

Amlodipine, a third generation dihydropyridine calcium antagonist, is characterized by a higher vascular selectivity and a smaller negative inotropic effect compared to nifedipine. With its long elimination half-life and low variability in trough-to-peak plasma concentrations, once-daily application is possible without loss of therapeutic efficacy. Placebo-controlled and comparative studies with a variety of antianginal and antihypertensive agents have confirmed the efficacy of amlodipine in patients with arterial hypertension and/or coronary artery disease. As a result of gradual onset of action, amlodipine demonstrates no clinically significant stimulation of neuroendocrine systems and preliminary results have shown that it may be useful in patients with heart failure. Amlodipine is well tolerated and exerts no adverse or unfavourable effects on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. As a result of these factors, amlodipine represents a therapeutic advance in the treatment of hypertension and coronary artery disease. J Clin Basic Cardiol 1999; 2: 45-52.