Pill combines 3 blood pressure medications

MANILA, Philippines - Novartis Healthcare Philippines has launched the only high blood pressure treatment that combines three medications in a single pill.

Amlodipine + valsartan + hydrochlorothiazide combines in one pill the number one prescribed calcium channel blocker, angiotensin receptor blocker, and diuretic, respectively.

These three classes of medications work in different ways to lower blood pressure and control hypertension.

“Most patients with hypertension will require more than one medication to control their blood pressure. Single-pill combinations offer advantages in compliance, efficacy, tolerability and outcomes, at reduced overall costs,” said Dr. Gordon McInnes, professor of clinical pharmacology and honorary consultant physician at the University of Glasgow, Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, Western Infirmary in the United Kingdom.

McInnes was the guest speaker during the launch of amlodipine + valsartan + hydrochlorothiazide last Feb. 17 at the Crowne Plaza Galleria Hotel in Quezon City.

According to McInnes, national and international guidelines for hypertension management acknowledge the need for triple combination therapy.

He said evidence from major clinical trials supports the use of a triple combination of amlodipine, valsartan and thiazide-type diuretic, and shows that the use of a single-pill combination is associated with a substantial improvement in blood pressure control and excellent tolerability.

The use of single pill combinations should be preferred whenever possible because simplification of treatment carries advantages for patient compliance, he added.

“Antihypertensive drugs should be effective, well-tolerated and provide target organ protection. Angiotensin receptor blockers such as valsartan meet these requirements. Single pill combination with amlodipine provides greater blood pressure reduction, improved tolerability and improved compliance,” McInnes said.

Thus, McInnes continued, the triple combination of amlodipine, valsartan and thiazide-type diuretic is a logical, evidence-based, guideline-recommended, highly effective and well-tolerated treatment for the substantial proportion of people with high blood pressure who need more than two drugs to achieve goal blood pressure.

The 2007 nationwide survey PRESYON 2 conducted by the Philippine Heart Association revealed that 87 percent or 9.1 million of the 10.5 million hypertensive Filipinos are unable to control their high blood pressure.

Uncontrolled hypertension can lead to heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease, among others.

“We believe that our triple-combination once-daily pill, amlodipine + valsartan + hydrochlorothiazide provides a simpler, more convenient daily dosing routine, which is very important to patients with a chronic condition like hypertension,” said Eric van Oppens, CEO and president of Novartis Healthcare Philippines.