SUSTAINED-RELEASE ISRADIPINE COMPARED WITH SPIRAPRIL IN THE TREATMENT OF ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH ISOLATED SYSTOLIC HYPERTENSION

The benefits of treating isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) have been established, but the most appropriate choice of drug is still uncertain. For this reason, a sustained-release formulation of isradipine was compared with spirapril in a double-blind randomized study in elderly Chinese patients with ISH. The dosage was titrated if necessary after 4 weeks of treatment. The reduction in systolic/diastolic blood pressure after 8 weeks was similar for both treatments-20/10 mm Hg with isradipine versus 24/6 mm Hg with spirapril-measured in the supine position. There were no orthostatic symptoms and both treatments were well tolerated.