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8098647 
Journal Article 
Clinical use of carvedilol compared to nifedipine in the treatment of mild to moderate essential hypertension 
Plavnik, FL; Freitas, AF; Portela, JE; Dantas, M; Spritzer, T; Kohlmann, NEB; Spritzer, N; Furtado, MR; Kohlmann Jr, O 
1994 
Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia
ISSN: 0066-782X
EISSN: 1678-4170 
63 
405-408 
Portuguese 
Purpose - To compare the efficacy of carvedilol, a new antihypertensive drug that combines vasodilatory and β-blocker properties, with nifedipine. Methods - In a multicenter double-blind trial, 106 mild to moderate essential hypertensive patients were treated with either carvedilol (n = 51), or nifedipine (n = 55) as monotherapy. Following 4 weeks of wash-out/run-in period, patients from the carvedilol group received this drug once a day at a dosage of 25 mg/day for 8 consecutive weeks. In order to maintain the double-blind character of the study, a placebo was administered in the carvedilol group at identical dosage intervals as used in the nifedifine s.r. group. Nifedipine was also administered for 8 weeks at a dosage of 40 mg/day given b.i.d. Results - Both treatments were equally efficient in reducing blood pressure in the seated and upright positions. Blood pressure response to treatment was obtained in 79% and 78% of patients treated with carvedilol and nifedipine, respectively. The carvedilol group did not develop reflex tachycardia which is usually seen when prescribing vasodilators. Blood biochemistry remained unchanged with both treatments. Besides similar blood pressure efficacy, side effects by patients taking carvedilol were less frequent than nifedipine group. Conclusion - Carvedilol is a safe, efficient, once/day choice as monotherapy for mild to moderate essential hypertensive patients. 
carvedilol; essential hypertension; nifedipine