In a nutshell
This study investigated a combination of telmisartan/amlodipine (Twynsta; TA) and rosuvastatin (Crestor; R) in the treatment of hypertension and high cholesterol. They found that triple therapy with TAR was effective in these patients.
Some background
Hypertension or high blood pressure (BP) is a common condition. Many patients with hypertension also have hypercholesterolemia (HC). HC is high cholesterol levels in the blood. Cholesterol is a fat (lipid) found in the blood. High cholesterol can lead to blockages in blood vessels and increase BP. Combining drugs that lower BP and cholesterol is more effective than BP medication only.
Telmisartan (T) is a drug that blocks the angiotensin II receptor. Amlodipine (A) is a drug that blocks calcium channels. TA is an effective combination treatment in hypertension. Rosuvastatin (R) is a drug that treats HC. It is unclear if a combination of TAR improves cholesterol and reduces BP. The safety of combining these medications is also unclear.
Methods & findings
This study included 134 patients with hypertension and HC. All patients halted their hypertension medication for 4 weeks. Patients were randomly assigned to one of 3 groups. These included TAR (telmisartan/amlodipine, and rosuvastatin), TR (telmisartan and rosuvastatin), and TA (telmisartan/amlodipine). Drug doses were 80 mg (T), 10 mg (A) and 20 mg (R). Treatment lasted 8 weeks.
Cholesterol (LDL) levels were reduced by 51.9% in the TAR group and by 3.2% in the TA group. They were reduced by 47.9% in the TR group. Systolic BP (SBP; the first number in BP readings) levels were significantly reduced in the TAR group (-28.3 mmHg) versus TR (-10.7 mmHg). The reduction in SBP was also greater in TAR compared to TA patients (-28.3 vs. -18.3 mmHg).
TAR was well tolerated. Side effects were reported in 15% of the TAR group, 25% of the TA group and in 12.2% of the TR group. None of the groups experienced serious side effects or stopped treatment due to side effects.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that triple therapy with TAR reduced cholesterol and BP levels.
The fine print
This was a short-term study. The long-term safety of TAR requires more investigation.
What’s next?
If you have any concerns regarding hypertension and high cholesterol, please discuss this with your physician.
Published By :
Clinical therapeutics
Date :
Mar 20, 2019
