Plasma concentration profiles and antihypertensive effect of conventional and extended‐release felodipine tablets.

Abstract

1. The rate and extent of felodipine absorption from an oral solution, conventional and extended‐release tablets were investigated in two groups of healthy volunteers (n = 18 + 15). 2. The antihypertensive effect of felodipine conventional tablets twice daily (n = 71) and extended‐release tablets once daily (n = 76) were compared in a parallel‐group study in hypertensive patients. 3. As from a solution, felodipine was completely absorbed from the two solid dosage forms. The rate of absorption increased in the order extended‐release tablets, conventional tablets, solution. 4. The extended‐release tablet gave more sustained plasma concentrations than the conventional tablet. 5. The extended‐release tablet given once daily gave similar blood pressure control to the conventional tablet given twice daily. 1990 The British Pharmacological Society