Despite the fact that nifedipine increases the risk of heart attacks and
death, doctors still prescribe this immediate-release blood pressure drug to
elderly patients. The Cologne-based research group led by Ingrid Schubert has
published the results of their investigation in the current issue of Deutsches
Ärzteblatt International (Dtsch Arztebl Int 2012; 109[12]: 215-9).
Immediate-release nifedipine is classified as a potentially dangerous drug
in the PRISCUS list published in 2010. Earlier studies demonstrated that, in
comparison to other antihypertensive drugs, nifedipine increases patient risk
for mortality and heart attacks. Ingrid Schubert and colleagues have now
examined how frequently this calcium channel blocker is prescribed under
everyday conditions. By analyzing data from 260 672 insured patients, they were
able to document for the first time that doctors continue to prescribe
immediate-release nifedipine to elderly patients. Thus, in 2009, about 1% of
the group of elderly patients, who are especially vulnerable to adverse drug
reactions, received nifedipine and were therefore exposed to higher risks.
Πηγή: PharmaNews. EU