Amlodipine seems to be more effective than felodipine when these drugs are compared in the same dose, with regard to the effect on BP measured in the clinic 24 hours after dosing, and to ambulatory BP during the night. The longer elimination half-life of amlodipine as compared to felodipine is the probable reason for this finding. (1998) (reference).
However another side to the story is this: Felodipine decreased BP sooner than amlodipine. Amlodipine and felodipine are similar antihypertensive agents and have comparable BP profiles during the day and night following 8 weeks of therapy in patients with mild to moderate hypertension. (2001) (reference).
Current advice from NICE recommends calcium channel blockers as potential first line agents in older patients (over 55 years) or black patients of any age and as potential second line adjunctive agent in younger non-black patients. No specific calcium channel blocker is recommended. The choice of calcium channel blocker may depend on local recommendations, with the least expensive one being preferred. For patients with both hypertension and angina, amlodipine or felodipine are suitable choices. (2012) (reference).
hi dr vela. the nephro team in my hospital love to change the amilodipines to felodipines. when asked why they told me that felo can be given as BD dosing and would hence provide a longer coverage. not too sure if there is any evidence supporting this statement. i didnt read up on it after too -teegeena
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