Felodipine as an alternative to more expensive calcium antagonists in mild to moderate hypertension

• Published in: Southern medical journal (Birmingham, Ala.) Vol. 89; no. 6; pp. 573 - 577
• Main Authors: Landry, F J, Horwhat, J D, Tomich, D, Pinski, L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-06-1996
• Subjects: Aged; Antihypertensive Agents - economics; Antihypertensive Agents - therapeutic use; Blood Pressure - drug effects; Calcium Channel Blockers - economics; Calcium Channel Blockers - therapeutic use; Diltiazem - therapeutic use; Drug Costs; Felodipine - economics; Felodipine - therapeutic use; Female; Humans; Hypertension - drug therapy; Hypertension - physiopathology; Male; Middle Aged; Nifedipine - therapeutic use; Prospective Studies; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0038-4348
• DOI: 10.1097/00007611-199606000-00004

We studied the therapeutic substitution of a less expensive but equally effective antihypertensive agent and assessed patient outcome. The medication of 39 patients with hypertension was changed from once-daily diltiazem hydrochloride (Cardizem CD) or nifedipine (Procardia XL) to felodipine (Plendil). Titration to a final dose was based on home and office blood pressure measurements assessed over subsequent follow-up clinic visits. Self-administered questionnaires measured different aspects of well-being and symptoms before and after the change in medication. Eighty percent of the cohort switched successfully to felodipine. Office systolic and diastolic pressures improved after the medication change (systolic: 150 mm Hg versus 144 mm Hg; diastolic: 92 mm Hg versus 87 mm Hg). No statistically significant differences were found among the 39 symptoms measured. A yearly savings potential for our institution was estimated to be $72,000.