P&T Committee review of nifedipine GITS: new modality for angina and hypertension

Abstract

The nifedipine gastrointestinal therapeutic system (GITS) was recently approved for use in the treatment of angina and hypertension. According to the experts in this roundtable discussion, the GITS formulation provides continuous delivery of nifedipine, ensuring relatively constant drug levels and 24-hour efficacy with a once-daily dosage regimen. Nifedipine GITS also has a favorable side-effects and drug-interaction profile. This formulation will be useful for both inpatients and outpatients and may benefit patients in whom therapeutic levels previously could not be reached due to side effects.