Various clinical studies have shown that levamlodipine has more selectivity and better efficacy than (R)-amlodipine. In pooled data, from three comparative studies conducted in 200 patients with mild to moderate hypertension, 2.5 mg of levamlodipine was found to be equivalent in its blood pressure lowering efficacy to 5 mg of amlodipine. The average reduction in systolic BP was 19±3 vs 19±4, 20±2 vs 19±3 and 20±2 vs 19±3 mm of Hg recorded in standing, supine and sitting position respectively for levamlodipine compared to racemic amlodipine. The studies also reported a significant reduction in total cholesterol and triglyceride levels with levamlodipine, which was not seen with amlodipine.
Efficacy and safety of levamlodipine (2.5 mg, once daily) has been evaluated in the patients with isolated systolic hypertension (ISH). Levamlodipine effectively reduced the systolic BP (mean reduction 22±14 mm of Hg) in all grades of ISH. After 28 days of the treatment, overall responder rate was 73%. It significantly reduced the systolic and diastolic BP within 4 weeks with a responder rate of 96.5%.
Elderly hypertensives with diabetes mellitus exhibits higher response to levamlodipine therapy than non-diabetic patients. Levamlodipine is an effective switch-over option for the elderly patients who experience oedema and other adverse events with racemic amlodipine.