A comparison of verapamil and mifedipine on quality of life

Author(s): Fletcher, A., Hamilton, G., Muriss, S., Bulpitt, C.

Journal/Book: British Journal of clinical Pharmacology. 1990; 30: 365-370.

Abstract: 1 Aspects of quality of life (symptoms, psychological well-being and activity) were evaluated by self-administered questionnaires in a 4 month randomised double-blind trial of titrated doses of verapamil slow release (n = 41) compared with nifedipine retard (n = 40). An untreated diastolic blood pressure of 95-115 mm Hg was required for inclusion in the trial.2 The mean age in both groups was 55 years. A significant difference between the two drugs was found in the average reporting of symptoms with an increase an nifedipine (P < 0.01). The reporting of swollen ankles and flushing (P < 0.05) increased an nifedipine, and nocturia (P < 0.05) increased an verapamil. Measures of psychiatric morbidity tended to improve an verapamil and deteriorate an nifedipine. Only the change in cognitive function was significant between the drugs, being worse an nifedipine (P = 0.05).3 There was no difference between the two groups in the fall in diastolic blood pressure (average 18 mm Hg an nifedipine and 17 mm Hg an verapamil). There was a significantly greater fall in systolic blood pressure an nifedipine (23 mm Hg) compared with verapamil (13 mmHg)(P<0.01).4 The two drugs differed in their effects an measures of quality of life. The improvements in symptomatic complaints-and psychological well-being an verapamil may have been due to inclusion in a trial, - although we cannot exclude the possibility of a drug effect. Conversely the increase in symptoms and self-assessed cognitive impairment an nifedipine were considered to be side-effects of the drug.

Keyword(s): calcium channel blockers

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