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Felodipine is a member of the
dihydropyridine class of calcium antagonist. Like
Amlodipine, Felodipine is the second generation
CCBs. It is very effective in the treatment of
hypertension and has few side effects1.
Felodipine
may be easily used alone or concomitantly with other
antihypertensive agents such as beta-blocker, diuretics,
or ACE-inhibitors. It has been shown to be effective and
well tolerated in hypertensive patients who also suffer
from angina pectoris, with concomitant ventricular
dysfunction2,3,4. Felodipine is also highly
selective compared with other calcium antagonists and
can prevent or retard the progress of renal disease5,6.
Accordingly, the demand for Felodipine is expected to
increase significantly in the near future.
Chemical Name
Felodipine is a dihydropyridine
derivative and optically active described as (±)ethyl
methyl
4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-3,5-
pyridinedicarboxylate. Its empirical formula is C18H19Cl2NO4
with structural formula shown as:8
Pharmacology
Felodipine is a calcium channel blocker which is
thought to prevent the flow of calcium in the walls of
smooth muscle cells which line small arteries. The
effect of felodipine on blood pressure is principally a
consequence of a dose-related decrease of peripheral
vascular resistance in man, with a modest reflex
increase in heart rate. With the exception of a mild
diuretic effects seen in several animal species and man
the effects of Felodipine are accounted for by its
effects on peripheral vascular resistance.
Felodipine is a highest selective calcium
antagonist, which dilates the arteriolar resistance
vessels without significantly depressing cardiac
function5. It is a potent antihypertensive
agent and causes baroreflex readjustment as well as
regression of cardiac and vascular hypertrophy. In
addition, it exerts a diuretic/ natriuretic effect due
to a direct tubular action7. In elderly
hypertensive patients, felodipine not only can lower
blood pressure, but also be well tolerated. It does not
cause cardic orthostatic hypotension or impair cardiac
performance. These findings strongly suggest that
felodipine is a valuable antihypertensive vasodilating
calcium antagonist.
Proprietary Names
a.
Felodipine: Agon®;
Fensel®; Frodil®; Modip®;
Munobal®; Perfudal®;
Plendil®;
Prevex®; Preslow®;
Renedil®.
b.
Combination
products: Lexxel®
(felodipine, enalapril); Logimax® (felodipine, metoprolol);
Unimax® (felodipine, ramipril).
-
Technical
package and impurity profiles are available upon
request.
-
Sales
to countries without patent issues only.
-
Patent
application is in process.
References
1.
Collets P. et al. Drugs 1985, 29 (s2) 124-130.
2.
Culling W. et al. Br. Heart J. 1984, 52: 431-434.
3.
Hedner T. et al. Br. J. Clin. Pharmacol. 1987,
24: 145-149.
4.
Hosie J et al. J Drug Dev 1992; 5 (3): 129-36
5.
Ljung B. Drugs 1985; 29 (Suppl 2): 46-58
6.
Nordlander M Et Al. Second International Symposium,
Calcium Antagonsists In
Cardiovascular
Care. Basel, February 13-15, 1991; 12.
7.
B Ljung and M. Nordlander Department of Pharmacology and
Biochemistry, Hassle Cardiovascular Research Laboratories,
Molndal
8.
Physicians’ Desk Reference ed. 51, 1997: 514-516.
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