[Pharma-clinics. Drug of the month. Lercanidipine (Zanidip)].

Lercanidipine (Zanidip) is a new calcium antagonist belonging to the dihydropyridine family suitable for the first-line treatment of hypertension. This molecule displays a high specificity and selectivity for vascular smooth muscle cells and has, in spite of a short plasma half-life, a long duration of action due to its liposolubility. The usual and once a day dose to treat high blood pressure of any grade is 10 mg, which if needed could be increased to 20 mg once a day. It has a gradual onset of effect on blood pressure, thus leading to a good tolerability and hopefully a better compliance in the treatment of hypertension. No adaptation of the dose is needed in older patients or in patients with moderate renal or liver impairment.