Purpose: The efficacy and safety of diltiazen 240mg was evaluated in essential hypertensive patients with diastolic pressure in the range of 95 to 115 mmHg.
Methods: In an open, non-comparative multicenter trial 2.165 hypertensives had the supine and orthostatic arterial blood pressure measured before, after 14 days with non pharmacologic therapy and after 40 days taking diltiazen 240mg/day. Also, the serum levels of lipids, glucose and electrolytes were measured before and after the use of the active drug.
Results: The systolic arterial pressure in the first day was 166 +/- 18mmHg, in the 14th day was 155 +/- 20mmHg; and, in the 54th day was 141 +/- 14mmHg (p < 0.05). Also, supine and orthostatic diastolic blood pressure was lower in the 14th and in the 54th days when compared to baseline (p < 0.05). Cholesterol, triglycerides, urea and uric acid levels decreased significantly (p < 0.05) during treatment.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that diltiazem 240mg/day for the treatment of hypertension is well tolerated, efficient and shows no metabolic undesirable effects.