Abstract
Calcium antagonists are the latest addition to the antihypertensive armamentarium. The evidence available suggests that they lower blood pressure at least as effectively as diuretics, beta-receptor blockers and other vasodilators. Nifedipine is as effective as hydralazine as a third-line drug. Both nifedipine and verapamil may be used alone as first-line therapy, but they are more expensive and probably cause more symptomatic side-effects than diuretics or beta-receptor blockers.
MeSH terms
-
Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / therapeutic use
-
Aged
-
Calcium Channel Blockers / adverse effects
-
Calcium Channel Blockers / therapeutic use*
-
Costs and Cost Analysis
-
Diuretics / therapeutic use
-
Female
-
Humans
-
Hydralazine / therapeutic use
-
Hypertension / drug therapy*
-
Male
-
Middle Aged
-
Nifedipine / therapeutic use
-
Prospective Studies
-
Retrospective Studies
-
Verapamil / therapeutic use
Substances
-
Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
-
Calcium Channel Blockers
-
Diuretics
-
Hydralazine
-
Verapamil
-
Nifedipine