Lacidipine

It is a recent and highly vasoselective third generation dihydropyridine calcium antagonist that can be administered once daily. It possess one of the highest known membrane partition coefficient, which allows it to position more deeply within the vascular cell membrane lipid bilayer.

Indications

Treatment of hypertension either alone or in combination with other group antihypertensives.

Dosage

Adult: 4 mg daily. If necessary, the dose may be increased to 6 mg after not less than 3-4weeks. Elderly and hepatic impairment: Initially 2 mg per day. May be increased to 4 mg after 4 weeks.

Contra-Indications

Hypersensitivity, pregnancy.

Special Precautions

Use with caution in patients with poor cardiac reserve, pre-existing malfunctioning of the SA node/AV node, elderly and in patients with liver impairment. Use in lactating mothers only if benefit outweighs the risk. If ischemic pain develops shortly after initiating lacidipine, lacidipine therapy should be withdrawn forthwith.

Side Effects

Headache, flushing, edema, dizziness and palpitations. Asthenia, rash, erythema, itching, gastric upset, polyuria, chest pain, gingival hyperplasia have been reported infrequently.

Drug Interactions

Co-administration of lacidipine with other antihypertensives may have additive hypertensive effect. The plasma level of lacidipine may be increased by cimetidine.