Mortality data

There is a dose-dependent increase in mortality in patients with coronary artery disease who take nifedipine.

Meta-analysis of 16 trials yielded the following risk ratios for total mortality in patients with coronary artery disease taking various doses of nifedipine:

• Dose per day; Risk ratio for death with 95% CI
• dose = 30-50 mg; RR = 1.06 (0.89-1.27)
• dose = 60 mg; RR = 1.18 (0.93-1.50)
• dose = 80 mg; RR = 2.83 (1.35-5.93)

The authors concluded that high doses of short-acting nifedipine should not be used in patients with coronary artery disease.

Reference:

• Furberg, CD., Psaty, BM. & Meyer, JV. (1996). Nifedipine. Dose-related increase in mortality in patient with coronary heart disease. Circulation, 92(5), 1326-31.