Nifedipine Found To Effective For Patients With Angina

Angina pectoris is the most common symptom in patients with plaque build-up in their coronary artery. A recent study shows the heart medication nifedipine (Adalat or Procardia) may be safe for long-term use as it was found to relieve angina symptoms and prolongs heart-problem-and-procedure-free survival.

For the study angina patients from 19 countries randomly received nifedipine gastrointestinal therapeutic system or a placebo. GITS modifies the release of the drug to keep it in the blood longer. After about five years, both study groups showed similar death rates. However, the number of people who experienced heart failure and needed heart procedures were lower in the group receiving nifedipine. Researchers also add that long-acting calcium-channel blockers are appropriate as second-line or third-line treatment of symptomatic angina not responsive to beta blockers and nitrates.