Haemodynamic effects and pharmacokinetics of felodipine at rest and during exercise in hypertensive patients treated with metoprolol or atenolol

Summary

A study has been performed in thirteen patients with essential hypertension, WHO Class I–II, and a diastolic blood pressure ≥95 mm Hg, on beta-blocker (metoprolol or atenolol) monotherapy, who were also given felodipine 10 mg b.d. for 28 days. The acute and steady state blood pressure response at rest and during exercise, and the pharmacokinetics of felodipine and metoprolol, were examined.

Felodipine in combination with the beta-blocker reduced the systolic and diastolic blood pressures acutely and at steady-state. The duration of the effect was longer at steady-state. There was a significant correlation between the plasma concentration of felodipine and the change in blood pressure. The increase in systolic blood pressure during exercise was of the same magnitude before and after felodipine administration. No change in resting supine heart rate was found after the administration of felodipine.

There were no significant differences in the pharmacokinetics of felodipine during long-term treatment, except for the trough plasma concentration, which was increased at steady-state, even though cumulation of felodipine and its metabolite did not occur. There was a significant decrease in the maximal plasma concentration and AUC of metoprolol after 28 days of treatment with felodipine, but its elimination half-life was not changed.

The adverse reactions reported during this study were those generally seen after dihydropyridines and, except for two patients who were withdrawn after the first study day, the effects were well tolerated.