OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy, metabolic effects and tolerability of manidipine used in the treatment of stage I and II essential hypertensive patients with overweight or android obesity. METHODS: By an open-label, non comparative protocol in 11 Brazilian clinical research centers 102 hypertensive patients of both sexes with over weight or central obesity were treated with manidipine 10 to 20mg once daily for 12 weeks. Blood pressure, heart rate and adverse events were monitored. Fasting plasma glucose, total, HDL and LDL-cholesterol and triglicerides were determined at both placebo period and end of active treatment. Also in 12 patients, insulin sensitivity index was evaluated during placebo and manidipine treatment. RESULTS: Blood pressure was reduced from 159±15 / 102±5mmHg to 141±15 / 90±8mmHg with the treatment without any noticeable change in heart rate. Manidipine-efficacy rate was 71.9% with 51.1% of blood pressure normalization. No significant changes in metabolic parameters were noticed. Tolerability to manidipine was very high and at the last visit 87.1% of the treated patients were free of any adverse event. CONCLUSION: Manidipine is an adequate, highly effective, exempt of metabolic effects and safe option for treatment of stage I and II essential hypertensive patients with overweight or android obesity.