The antihypertensive effect of nitrendipine was examined in 29 outpatients with a mild or moderate hypertension and type II diabetes or a dyslipidemic condition. The drug was administered for 90 days at a daily dose of 10 to 40 mg. Following a washout period, the blood pressure (measured by a Dinamap device) was 181/99 mm Hg supine and 172/104 mm Hg standing. Nitrendipine caused a reduction in both pressures and after 90 days their values were 148/74 and 143/80 mm Hg, respectively. Heart rate was not affected by the drug, which also caused no variation in blood pressure, total and HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. In more than 20% of the cases, treatment was associated with headache and flushing, which did not necessitate discontinuation of treatment. Thus, nitrendipine is an effective antihypertensive agent and causes no untoward metabolic effects.