Chronotherapeutics: a surge of ideas.

Chronotherapeutics is advancing hypertension treatments beyond once-daily dosing by synchronizing the maximum levels of medication during times when cardiovascular risk is highest. It has long been established that patients are at higher risk for cardiovascular events-including myocardial infarction, stroke, and sudden death-in the early morning hours. Using novel oral delivery methods, chronotherapeutic medication synchronizes the delivery of blood pressure drug within the period of rates risk, significantly reducing both absolute blood pressure numbers and, especially important, the rate of blood pressure increase. These therapies have also shown the ability to maintain adequate blood pressure levels during the trough period. Several blood pressure medications now have chronotherapeutic formulations including the calcium channel blockers verapamil and diltiazem and the beta-blocker propranolol.