Comparison of efficacy and tolerability of different brands of amlodipine in patients with mild to moderate hypertension

The efficacy of amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker, in treating systemic hypertension is well established but the most efficacious brand of this drug is still uncertain. The cost of different brands of amlodipine is tremendously different which may affect decision-making in hypertension treatment. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of different brands of amlodipine [Amlodipine, Amlopress, and Norvasc] in the treatment of hypertension in adult patients. This was a double-blind, randomized, three-sequence crossover study. Ambulatory patients with hypertension who had the inclusion criteria were enrolled. Patients were randomized and entered into three groups to receive either brand of amlodipine in a crossover method. After every four weeks of treatment completed, the other brand of drug was prescribed. The total period of the study was 12 weeks for all three drugs including four weeks for each brand. A total of 20 patients entered to the study, 15 completed the 12-week treatment schedule. The absolute reductions in seated and supine systolic blood pressure [SBP] and diastolic blood pressure [DBF] were similar with all three brands during the 4 weeks of treatment. Headache, malaise and weakness were the most common reported adverse effects [AE] with all three drugs. Generic amlodipine had the most AE as compared with other brands. These AE were mild and did not require withdrawal of the drug. There is no statistical difference in lowering blood pressure by three different brands of amlodipine thus everyone which has the lowest price can be the first choice

Demographics and angiographic findings in patients under 35 years of age with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction

ST-elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI] is a major cause of cardiovascular mortality worldwide. There are differences between very young patients with STEMI and their older counterparts. This study investigates the demographics and clinical findings in very young patients with STEMI. Through a review of the angiography registry, 108 patients aged 35 years [Group II] who underwent coronary angiography after STEMI. Group I patients were more likely to be male [92.6%], smokers, and have a family history of cardiovascular diseases [34.6%]. The prevalence of diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hypertension was higher in the old patients. Triglyceride and hemoglobin were significantly higher in Group I. Normal coronary angiogram was reported in 18.5% of the young patients, and in 2.1% of the older patients. The prevalence of single-vessel and multi-vessel coronary artery disease was similar in the two groups [34.3% vs. 35.2%]. The younger subjects were more commonly candidates for medical treatment and percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI] [84.2%], while coronary artery bypass grafting [CABG] was considered for the 39.5% of their older counterparts. In the young adults with STEMI, male gender, smoking, family history, and high triglyceride level were more often observed. A considerable proportion of the young patients presented with multi-vessel coronary disease. PCI or medical treatment was the preferred treatment in the younger patients; in contrast to their older counterparts, in whom CABG was more commonly chosen for revascularization