Peripheral edema and headache associated with amlodipine treatment: a meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled trials

Objective: Use of amlodipine for treatment of arterial hypertension and stable coronary artery disease (CAD) is sometimes limited by occurrence of peripheral edema and headache. We aimed to explore the true magnitude of this phenomenon by determining the rate and placebo-adjusted rate of these side effects. Methods: We performed a meta-analysis by including all randomized, placebo-controlled trials reporting edema and headache with amlodipine in patients with arterial hypertension and CAD. Placebo-adjusted rate (%) was determined as follows: (SE amlodipine % − SE placebo %)/SE amlodipine %. Results: Data from 7226 patients of 22 trials were analyzed. Rate of edema was higher on amlodipine vs. placebo (16.6 vs. 6.2%, risk ratio: 2.9, 95% CI: 2.50–3.36, P 
Source: Journal of Hypertension - Category: Cardiology Tags: ORIGINAL PAPERS: Treatment Source Type: research