Levamlodipine

Levamlodipine (INN), also known as levoamlodipine or S-amlodipine is a pharmacologically active enantiomer of amlodipine. Amlodipine belongs to the dihydropyridine group of calcium channel blocker used as an antihypertensive and antianginal agent.[1] Levamlodipine is currently marketed in Russia under the brand name EsCordi Cor (Actavis Pharma), in Brazil under the brand name Novanlo (Biolab Sanus) and in India under the trade names Eslo (Zuventus Healthcare Ltd.), Asomex (Emcure Pharmaceutical Ltd.), and Espin (Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd.).[2][3]

Levamlodipine
Clinical data
Trade namesAsomex, Eslo, Espin, EsCordi Cor
AHFS/Drugs.comMonograph
Routes of
administration		Oral
ATC code
Pharmacokinetic data
Protein binding93%
Metabolismhepatic
Excretion60% of the metabolites excreted in the urine
Identifiers
CAS Number
PubChem CID
ChemSpider
UNII
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC20H25ClN2O5
Molar mass408.88 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)

Mechanism of action

Amlodipine blocks the transmembrane influx of calcium into the vascular and cardiac smooth muscles resulting in vasodilation and hence a fall in blood pressure. Levamlodipine is an allosteric modulator and acts on the L-type of calcium channels.[4][5] Receptor binding studies have shown that out of the two forms only the (S)-enantiomer of amlodipine binds to and blocks L-type calcium channels whereas the (R)-enantiomer has no activity on these channels.[6]

The precise mechanisms by which levamlodipine relieves angina have not been fully explored, but are thought to include the following:

  • Decreases peripheral resistance by arteriolar vasodilatation leading to the reduction in oxygen requirement and energy consumption of cardiac smooth muscles.
  • Decreases coronary vascular resistance and can lead to an increase in coronary blood flow.[1]

Pharmacokinetics and metabolism

Administration of levamlodipine (2.5 mg) as a single dose gives maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) of 8.3 to 9.3 ng/mL in 2 to 3 hrs (Tmax). It is extensively (about 90%) converted to inactive metabolites via hepatic metabolism with 10% of the parent compound and 60% of the metabolites excreted in the urine. Levamlodipine shows approximately 93% plasma protein binding in hypertensive patients. The mean AUC0–t value (t = 48 hrs) of levamlodipine tablets (2.5 mg) is 95±14 ng·hr/mL. The plasma elimination half-life of levamlodipine has been found to be 31±13 hrs.[7]

Clinical experience

Various clinical studies have shown that levamlodipine has more selectivity and better efficacy than (R)-amlodipine. In pooled data, from three comparative studies conducted in 200 patients with mild to moderate hypertension, 2.5 mg of levamlodipine was found to be equivalent in its blood pressure lowering efficacy to 5 mg of amlodipine. The average reduction in systolic BP was 19±3 vs 19±4, 20±2 vs 19±3 and 20±2 vs 19±3 mm of Hg recorded in standing, supine and sitting position respectively for levamlodipine compared to racemic amlodipine. The studies also reported a significant reduction in total cholesterol and triglyceride levels with levamlodipine, which was not seen with amlodipine.[8][9][10]

Efficacy and safety of levamlodipine (2.5 mg, once daily) has been evaluated in the patients with isolated systolic hypertension (ISH). Levamlodipine effectively reduced the systolic BP (mean reduction 22±14 mm of Hg) in all grades of ISH. After 28 days of the treatment, overall responder rate was 73%. It significantly reduced the systolic and diastolic BP within 4 weeks with a responder rate of 96.5%.[11]

Elderly hypertensives with diabetes mellitus exhibits higher response to levamlodipine therapy than non-diabetic patients. Levamlodipine is an effective switch-over option for the elderly patients who experience oedema and other adverse events with racemic amlodipine.[12]

Safety and tolerability

The use of racemic amlodipine is commonly associated with adverse events like peripheral edema and other side effects like headache, dizziness, flushing and abdominal pain.[13] Controlled clinical trials showed that levamlodipine is rarely associated with these side effects.[14] No controlled clinical study of levamlodipine has been performed in patients with hepatic impairment and renal impairment. Clinical studies in patients with normal liver function have shown that there is no elevation in the hepatic enzymes with the use of levamlodipine.[1] However, caution should be taken while administering levamlodipine to such patients.

In a postmarketing surveillance study, levamlodipine (2.5/5 mg) was found to be well tolerated (n = 1859) in patients with hypertension. Out of 314 patients, who reported peripheral edema with conventional amlodipine were switched over to levamlodipine and edema was resolved in 310 patients (98.72%) at the end of 4 weeks. Only in 4 patients was edema sustained. Only 30 patients (out of 1859) reported side effects. These side effects included vertigo, tachycardia, cough, headache, fever, mild difficulty in breathing and edema. Adverse events were mild in nature and no serious adverse events were reported.[14]

References
  1. Thacker HP (2007). "S-amlodipine – the 2007 clinical review". J. Indian Med. Assoc. 105 (4): 180–86. PMID 17822186.
  2. "Asomex by Emcure" (PDF). Medical Update Newsletter. 20 (1): 1–2. January 2010.
  3. "Zuventus Brands for S- Amlodipine". DrugsUpdate.com.
  4. Burges RA, Gardiner DG, Gwilt M, Higgins AJ, Blackburn KJ, Campbell SF, Cross PE, Stubbs JK (January 1987). "Calcium channel blocking properties of amlodipine in vascular smooth muscle and cardiac muscle in vitro: evidence for voltage modulation of vascular dihydropyridine receptors". J. Cardiovasc. Pharmacol. 9 (1): 110–9. doi:10.1097/00005344-198701000-00018. PMID 2434785. S2CID 40257612.
  5. Goldmann S, Stoltefuss J (December 1991). "1,4-Dihydropyridines: Effects of Chirality and Conformation on the Calcium Antagonist and Calcium Agonist Activities". Angewandte Chemie International Edition in English. 30 (12): 1559–1578. doi:10.1002/anie.199115591.
  6. Goldmann S, Stoltefuss J, Born L (September 1992). "Determination of the absolute configuration of the active amlodipine enantiomer as (−)-S: a correction". Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 35 (18): 3341–4. doi:10.1021/jm00096a005. PMID 1388206.
  7. Park JY, Kim KA, Park PW, Lee OJ, Ryu JH, Lee GH, Ha MC, Kim JS, Kang SW, Lee KR (November 2006). "Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of a new S-amlodipine formulation in healthy Korean male subjects: a randomized, open-label, two-period, comparative, crossover study". Clin Ther. 28 (11): 1837–47. doi:10.1016/j.clinthera.2006.11.008. PMID 17213004.
  8. Hiremath MS, Dighe GD (August 2002). "A Randomized, Double-blind, Double dummy, Multicentric, Parallel Group, Comparative Clinical Trial of S-Amlodipine 2.5 mg vs Amlodipine 5 mg in the Treatment of mild to moderate Hypertension". JAMA-India. 1 (8): 86–92.
  9. "Clinical Trial of S-Amlodipine 2.5 mg versus Amlodipine 5 mg in the Treatment of Hypertension". Indian Journal of Clinical Practice. 13 (11): 49–54. April 2003.
  10. Pathak L, Hiremath, Kerkar PG, Manade VG (March 2004). "Multicentric, clinical trial of S-Amlodipine 2.5 mg versus Amlodipine 5 mg in the treatment of mild to moderate hypertension--a randomized, double-blind clinical trial". J Assoc Physicians India. 52: 197–202. PMID 15636308.
  11. SESA Study group (June 2005). "MICRO-SESA-I – Safety and Efficacy of S(−)-Amlodipine in the treatment of isolated systolic hypertension". Indian Medical Gazette. 139 (6): 243–250.
  12. SESA Study group (August 2005). "MICRO-SESA-II – Safety and Efficacy of S(-) Amlodipine in the Treatment of Hypertension in Elderly Patients". Indian Medical Gazette. 139 (8): 353–358.
  13. Stöppler MC. "Side Effects of Norvasc (Amlodipine Besylate) Drug Center". RxList Inc.
  14. SESA Study group (August 2003). "Safety and Efficacy of S-Amlodipine – SESA study". JAMA-India. 2 (8): 87–92.
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