Single-pill blood pressure control a new possibility?

This study evaluated the effectivity of a single-pill combination therapy in the management of difficult to treat hypertension.

Despite multi-drug treatment regimens, most hypertensive patients still have high blood pressure values. The need for strict adherence to a regimen of multiple drugs is known to be a main factor in the failure to manage hypertension. Sustained-release pills (which contain a large amount of the drug slowly released over time and reduce the need for multiple daily doses) and single-pill drug combinations (reducing the need for multiple pills to receive more than one medication) may significantly increase blood-pressure control and relieve patient burden. In this study, researchers examined the potential benefits of a single-pill combination therapy including sustained-release indapamide (Lozol), a type of anti-hypertensive diuretic, and amlodipine (Norvasc), a calcium channel blocker often used in the management of hypertension.

This study followed 196 hypertensive patients with uncontrolled blood-pressure using standard single drug calcium channel-blocker therapy. All Patients were treated with single-pill combination therapy, including sustained-release indapamide and amlodipine, for a period of 45 days.

After 45 days of treatment, systolic blood-pressure (the pressure in the arteries during heart muscle contraction) was decreased by an average of 28.5 mmHg, while diastolic blood-pressure (the pressure in the arteries during heart muscle relaxation, between heart beats)  was decreased by 15.6 mmHg. Optimal blood pressure control (defined as achieving blood pressure values of less than 140/90 mmHg) was achieved in 85% of patients treated with single-pill sustained-release indapamide and amlodipine combination therapy.

Only a few patients (2%) reported mild treatment related side effects, and 99% reported adhering to treatment throughout the study period.

This study concluded that single-pill sustained-release indapamide and amlodipine combination therapy is effective, safe and well tolerated among previously uncontrolled hypertensive patients.

This study did not perform a controlled comparison between single-pill sustained-release indapamide and amlodipine combination therapy and standard treatment. Larger controlled studies are needed to determine the direct effects of single-pill sustained-release indapamide and amlodipine combination therapy on clinical outcomes. The study was funded by Serdia Pharmaceuticals (India).

Consult with your physician on the importance of treatment adherence and new therapeutic possibilities allowing for easier management of hypertension.