Comparative Effect of Racemic Amlodipine and its Enantiomer with Atenolol on Hypertensive Patients—A Randomized, Open, Parallel Group Study

BackgroundThe ultimate goal of hypertensive therapy is to maintain normal blood pressure. A combination therapy is emphasized in the guidelines as a possible tool of reducing blood pressure to the target level. In this context, a combination of amlodipine and atenolol was chosen. Amlodipine exists in RS-form and its enantiomer in S-form. This study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of two forms of amlodipine combined with atenolol in hypertensive patients.MethodsThis was an unicenter, parallel-group, prospective, pilot study. Patients, aged between 18 years and 65 years, of either sex, and without comorbidities were included in this study. Patients were randomizedly allocated into two groups. Group 1 patients received atenolol 25 mg plus racemic (RS)-amlodipine 5 mg and Group 2 patients received atenolol 25 mg plus S-amlodipine 2.5 mg for a period of 6 months. Blood pressure was monitored at every predefined clinical visit.ResultsTotally 64 patients completed the study. No statistical difference was reported in the demographic details of study patients. A significant (p < 0.05) reduction was observed in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure after 160 days of treatment with RS-amlodipine and atenolol. The same result was demonstrated by S-amlodipine and atenolol treatment. No statistical significant difference was observed between RS-amlodipine and S-amlodipine. Nine adverse drug events were encountered during the study period.ConclusionNo difference was observed between racemic RS- and S-amlodipine combined with atenolol in terms of clinical benefits. Both combinations were found to be effective in reducing blood pressure without affecting the patients adversely.