INTRODUCTION: Calcium antagonists are very effective drugs, recommended as first-line therapy in hypertension. However, their large use in clinical practice is often limited by a high incidence of peripheral oedema. Calcium antagonists of the third generation, such as lercanidipine, have been shown to be as effective as first- and second-generation calcium antagonists, while showing a better side-effect profile. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: The purpose of the present Phase IV study was to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of lercanidipine in a large unselected population of hypertensive patients managed in private practice in Switzerland. A total of 504 physicians participated in this survey and 2199 patients were included. Treatment with lercanidipine was introduced at a dose of 10 mg and titration to 20 mg was optional according to the physician's decision. Evaluations of blood pressure control and tolerability were made after 4 and 8 weeks. RESULTS: The results of the present study show that lercanidipine is an effective and well tolerated antihypertensive agent in newly treated hypertensive patients. In this group of patients, 63% reached the target blood pressure (< or = 140/90 mmHg) with lercanidipine alone. Lercanidipine is also an effective alternative in patients who are insufficiently controlled with another therapy, or in patients not tolerating other calcium channel blockers. Finally, lercanidipine is well-tolerated, with a very low rate of drop-out (1-2%) because of adverse events, and a low occurrence of peripheral oedema. CONCLUSION: Lercanidipine is an effective and well tolerated calcium channel blocker of the third generation. This new calcium antagonist represents a very useful tool to improve blood pressure control in the community.