A significant number of pregnancies are complicated by hypertensive disorders. Hypertension often worsens in the postpartum period and many women need started on medications. Currently, recommended medications for blood pressure management in pregnant and postpartum women are limited, with labetalol and nifedipine ER being the most commonly used medications. While these medications are both effective, they are not without limitations. Amlodipine is a medication in the same class as nifedipine ER. It is a first-line antihypertensive in the general population. It tends to have less side effects than nifedipine ER. It has not been studied specifically in postpartum women. The purpose of this study is to determine if amlodipine is noninferior to nifedipine ER in managing hypertension in the postpartum period.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
175
Initiation of amlodipine 2.5 mg
Initiation of nifedipine ER 30 mg
Greenville Memorial Hospital
Greenville, South Carolina, United States
Length of Stay
length of stay from delivery until discharge
Time frame: Through hospital stay, on average 2-5 days
Number of Acute Treatments After Medication Initiation
Time frame: Through hospital stay, on average 2-5 days
Patient Reported Side Effects
Side effects based on patient reported survey where 1 = never, 2 = rarely, 3 = sometimes, 4 = often, 5 = always
Time frame: Through hospital stay, on average 2-5 days
Number of Patients Discontinuing Medication Due to Side Effects
Time frame: Through hospital stay, on average 2-5 days
Number of Patients Requiring Hospital Readmission
Time frame: until 6 weeks postpartum
Breastfeeding Duration of 6+ Weeks
Time frame: until 6 weeks postpartum
Number of Patients Reporting Satisfaction With Breastfeeding Experience on Patient-completed Questionnaire
Time frame: until 6 weeks postpartum
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