One pill composed of 3 low-dose antihypertensive drugs lowers blood pressure compared to currently recommended treatments, according to a study presented at the congress of the American College of Cardiology.
A “triple pill” combining 3 low-dose anti-hypertensive drugs significantly increases the number of hypertensive patients reaching the target of their treatment without an increase in side effects.
This is what emerges from a study presented at the congress of the American College of Cardiology. What to review the current recommendations.
The benefits of a triple mini-pill
In practice, taking several drugs a day, potentially at different times, turns out to be complex for many patients. An “all-in-one” pill would make prescription easier for doctors on the one hand, and compliance for patients on the other.
70% of patients benefited immediately and during the 6 months of the study from an improvement in their blood pressure by being treated with this triple pill.
A synergistic cocktail
The Sri Lankan randomized trial TRIUMPH including 700 patients with an average age of 56 years was based on a primary endpoint: the proportion of patients achieving a target blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or less at 6 months. The triple pill consisted of 10 mg of telmisartan, 2.5 of amlodipine and 12.5 mg of chlorthalidone.
The mean decrease in blood pressure was 8.7 mmHg in participants receiving the triple pill and 4.5 mm Hg in those receiving “usual” treatments. The maximum difference observed between the two groups of patients was observed 6 weeks after the start of treatment: 68% of people receiving the triple pill achieve a target blood pressure, against 44% of people receiving the usual treatments.
In practice, this represents a 53% reduction in the risk of high blood pressure in patients receiving the triple pill.
Press Release: Low-Dose ‘Triple Pill’ Lowers Blood Pressure More Than Usual Care # ACC18 https://t.co/RD7Rd4uTbT pic.twitter.com/aAi244lzPU
– ACC Media Center (@ACCmediacenter) March 12, 2018
Without increased side effects
The combination of 3 low-dose treatments therefore has a synergistic effect, without adding or increasing the side effects. This should lead to reconsidering the current recommendations, knowing that they differ depending on the country (130/80 mmHg in the United States versus 140/90 mmHg in Europe).
Treating high blood pressure to the goals defined by consensus helps prevent heart attacks, strokes and certain kidney problems. However, many people with high blood pressure go untreated and about a third of those who are treated reach the recommended blood pressure target.
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