TO STUDY CLINICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL EFFECTS OF AMLODIPINE AND CILNIDIPINE IN NEWLY DIAGNOSED CASES OF HYPERTENSION

Introduction: Hypertension is a major global health challenge and a significant contributor to cardiovascular diseases and death. Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are effective in managing various stages of hypertension. The aim of study was to compare the safety and effectiveness of amlodipine and cilnidipine in newly diagnosed patients of hypertension. Material and Methods: This prospective, randomized, open-label, parallel-group study was conducted at Guru Nanak Dev Hospital, Amritsar. Sixty newly diagnosed mild to moderate hypertensive patients were randomly assigned to two groups. Group A received amlodipine 5 mg, and Group B received cilnidipine 10 mg once daily for 12 weeks. Blood pressure, heart rate and biochemical parameters were recorded at baseline, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Adverse events were monitored, and data was analysed. Observations: Baseline characteristics were largely similar in two groups, except total cholesterol, which differed significantly (p = 0.043). Both groups showed significant reduction in SBP and DBP over the 12-week period (p < 0.001), with no notable difference between two groups (p > 0.05). Heart rate was slightly increased in Group A (p = 0.782) but a significant decrease in Group B (p < 0.001), with evident intergroup difference at weeks 8 and 12 (p < 0.05). Significant decrease in triglycerides (p = 0.012) in Group B was seen. Group A suffered more adverse effects of pedal oedema, headache and fatigue. Conclusion: Both amlodipine and cilnidipine effectively reduced blood pressure over 12 weeks. However, cilnidipine had fewer side effects and added benefits on heart rate and triglycerides.