Recent Update on Fixed Combinations of Antihypertensive Agents

The amlodipine/atorvastatin single tablet has been shown to improve patients’ achievement of national guideline recommended blood pressure and lipid target levels and exhibits a safety profile consistent with the parent compounds. The single tablet formulation has the potential to improve adherence and decrease prescription costs. These potential benefits are associated with important implications because hypertensive patients with additional risk factors represent a large proportion of those at risk for cardiovascular events. Combination low-dose drug treatment increases efficacy and reduces adverse effects. Fixed low-dose combination drug treatment increases efficacy and reduces adverse effects. This combination has greater potency and a similar side effect profile to monotherapy and represents a highly effective approach for attaining goal blood pressure levels using a therapeutic strategy that very effectively lowers blood pressure, is well-tolerated, and minimizes increasing doses of monotherapy-induced metabolic effects. (Korean Circ J 2008;38:237-243)