Maximum Recommended Dose of Cilnidipine Per Day
The maximum recommended dose of cilnidipine is 20 mg per day for the treatment of essential hypertension. 1, 2
Dosing Information
- Initial dosing typically starts at 5-10 mg once daily 1
- Dose can be titrated up to 20 mg per day based on blood pressure response 1, 3
- Cilnidipine is administered as a once-daily medication due to its prolonged antihypertensive effect throughout a 24-hour period 2
- The medication can be taken either in the morning or at bedtime with similar efficacy in blood pressure control 2
Clinical Efficacy and Considerations
- Cilnidipine is a dual L/N-type calcium channel blocker that effectively reduces 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure without causing reflex tachycardia 1
- At doses of 5-20 mg daily, cilnidipine significantly decreases both systolic and diastolic blood pressure 1
- The antihypertensive effect is more pronounced during daytime hours but still provides significant blood pressure reduction during nighttime 1
- Cilnidipine at 20 mg daily has demonstrated superior renoprotective effects compared to amlodipine, including reduction in albuminuria and oxidative stress markers 4, 3
Special Populations
- In patients with chronic kidney disease, cilnidipine has been studied at doses up to 20 mg daily with beneficial effects on reducing albuminuria and plasma aldosterone levels 4
- For patients with both hypertension and hyperuricemia, cilnidipine (5-20 mg/day) has shown advantages in reducing serum uric acid levels compared to amlodipine 5
Monitoring and Safety
- Blood pressure response should be monitored to determine optimal dosing within the 5-20 mg range 1
- Unlike some calcium channel blockers, cilnidipine does not cause significant increases in heart rate at therapeutic doses 1, 5
- The medication demonstrates a favorable safety profile without excessive blood pressure reduction or reflex tachycardia at the maximum dose of 20 mg daily 1
Common Pitfalls
- Exceeding the maximum recommended dose of 20 mg per day has not been studied extensively and is not recommended 1, 2, 3
- When switching from other calcium channel blockers, it's important to note that cilnidipine has different pharmacological properties (dual L/N-type blockade) that may affect dosing requirements 4
- The antihypertensive effect of cilnidipine may depend on baseline blood pressure levels, with greater reductions observed in patients with higher initial blood pressure 1