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Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Nifedipine

Implications for the Care of the Elderly

  • Review Article
  • Clinical Pharmacology
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Summary

Nifedipine, the prototype for the dihydropyridine class of calcium antagonists, has been available for 20 years and its efficacy as a vasodilator and an antihypertensive agent is well recognised. The development of the so-called nifedipine gastrointestinal therapeutic system (GITS), which allows once-daily administration, has modified and improved the overall therapeutic profile of nifedipine to such a significant extent that it might almost be considered a new drug entity. The nifedipine GITS is associated with distinct improvements in terms of patient compliance and convenience, and a reduced incidence of adverse effects. With regard to the care of the elderly, this ‘new’ drug offers the prospect of a well tolerated and effective treatment without major cost implications.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Gardiner Institute, Western Infirmary, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G11 6NT, Scotland

    Henry L. Elliott & Peter A. Meredith

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  1. Henry L. Elliott
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  2. Peter A. Meredith
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Elliott, H.L., Meredith, P.A. Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Nifedipine. Drugs & Aging 11, 470–479 (1997). https://doi.org/10.2165/00002512-199711060-00006

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