Adverse interaction between nifedipine and 6-blockade

Abstract

The calcium antagonist drug nifedipine is hypotensive and produces its systemic effect by reducing systemic vascular resistance.1 It is also effective in treating angina pectoris, whether caused by coronary artery spasm or by effort.2-4 β-lockade is a well-established treatment for hypertension and for angina. In combination with propranolol, nifedipine reduces ST-segment deviations in monitored patients with exertional angina.3 A combination of (3-blockade and nifedipine should therefore be especially effective in treating co-existing hypertension and angina.4 We studied 15 patients with stable effort angina and hypertension who were treated with nifedipine in addition to preexisting treatment with (3-blockade and a diuretic. One patient developed excessive hypotension. © 1980, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.