Background:Dihydropyridine-calcium channel blockers (DHP-CCBs) are effective
first-line blood pressure-lowering agents for primary hypertension. However, data comparing the
variations in efficacy and safety between different types of DHP-CCBs are scarce.Aims and Objectives:This study aimed to summarize the latest evidence on the benefits and
harms of seven DHP-CCBs (amlodipine, levamlodipine, felodipine, lacidipine, nitrendipine,
nifedipine, and benidipine).Methods:A meta-analysis of DHP-CCBs was carried out to explore differences in efficacy and
safety. We searched PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang Data, and VIP
databases from inception to September, 2023, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing
DHP-CCBs. The main outcomes were blood pressure lowering and adverse events (AEs) during
treatment.Results:We included 181 RCTs (21,383 patients) in this analysis. In terms of efficacy, levamlodipine
ranked highest in reducing office blood pressure (surface under the cumulative ranking
systolic blood pressure = 80.81%, diastolic blood pressure [DBP] = 82.42%) and 24-h ambulatory
DBP (98.07%). Felodipine had the highest probability of reducing 24-h ambulatory blood pressure
(80.65%). Regarding safety, levamlodipine had the least impact on heart rate (85.71%). In
terms of AEs, benidipine had the highest rate for cardiovascular (86.58%) and digestive system
(93.57%) AEs. Nifedipine and amlodipine had the highest rates of central (80.65%) and peripheral
nervous system (83.28%) AEs, respectively. Levamlodipine exhibited significantly lower rates of
total AEs (1.24%), central nervous system AEs (1.28%), and cardiovascular system AEs (3.62%)
than the other interventions.Conclusion:In the office setting, levamlodipine may be the best treatment for primary hypertension,
and lacidipine shows good safety.