Sustained antihypertensive, activity of diltiazem SR: Double-blind, placebo-controlled study with 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring

A new polymeric matrix technology provides a sustained-release formulation of diltiazem hydrochloride (diltiazem SR) suitable far once-daily therapy. The efficacy and safety af diltiazem SR were evaluated in a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study. After a single-blind, placebo lead-in period, 275 patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension were assigned to receive placebo or diltiazem SR 120, 240, 360, or 480 mg once daily for 4 weeks. The efficacy evaluation was based on office and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Twenty-four hours after the last dose in the 4-week, double-blind treatment period, the mean reduction from baseline in supine diastolic blood pressure ranged from 5.1 to 10.6 mm Hg in the diltiazem SR 120- to 480-mg groups, resulting in a significant linear trend across all treatments (P