A COMPARISON OF NISOLDIPINE AND NITRENDIPINE AS MONOTHERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSION

60 patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension were recruited into a randomized,double-blinded study to compare the efficacy and safety of nisoldipine and ni-trendipine. After a 10-day placebo run-in period, the patients were randomized to receive 10-20 mg twice daily treatment of either nisoldipine or nitrendipine for 6 weeks.Results. After the treatment of nisoldpine, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were reduced 11.46% and 14.88%,from (157.00±13.66)to (139.00±13.34)mmHg and from (103.04±4.60) to (101. 86±4. 52)mmHg,respectively. While,in the nitrendipine group, systolic and diastolic blood pressure was reduced 10.04% and 10. 01%, from (157.31±12.80) to (141.52±10.25)mmHg and from (102.14±4.89) to (91.66±7. 05)mmHg,respectively. Adverse events were mostly mild and transient in both groups.Conclusion. Treatment of 10-20 mg twice daily nisoldipine and nitrendipine are effective and well tolerated for patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension.