Thursday, 13 January 2011

Hypertension combination pill better than one

A mixture of drugs is far better than a single a single in treating high blood pressure, a UK examine has recommended. etzashoha hnontambal netotmoto

The examine from the Lancet concerned 1,200 men and women and found beginning treatment with two drugs gave far better and more quickly results, with fewer unwanted side effects.

The strategy issues conventional health-related practice in which health professionals give a patient a single drug, then add another later if blood stress stays large.

Nearly 10 million men and women from the UK have high blood pressure.

Remedy with anti-hypertensive drugs is acknowledged to reduce the risk of stroke and heart condition.

A group led by researchers at the University of Cambridge, University of Glasgow and University of Dundee followed 1,254 patients with high blood pressure in 10 nations.

They in contrast the results of giving a single drug (possibly aliskiren or amlodipine) or perhaps a mixture of equally.

Patients given the mixture of drugs had a 25% far better response throughout the first six months in contrast with those on conventional treatment, the examine found.

This equates to a 6.5mm Hg higher reduction in systolic blood stress.

Participants have been also more unlikely to stop taking their medicine due to unwanted side effects.

The two drugs may be given like a single pill, making it less difficult for patients to take.

Professor Morris Brown with the University of Cambridge said the examine "breaks the mould for treating hypertension".

He said: "Most patients can now be prescribed a single mixture pill and understand that they may be optimally secured from strokes and heart attacks."

The British Heart Basis, which is funding follow-up research, said good manage of blood stress is difficult to obtain in several patients.

Associate health-related director Professor Jeremy Pearson said: "This examine adds significantly for the evidence that beginning treatment for patients with high blood pressure with two medicines in lieu of a single is secure, and more efficient than waiting to add the second medication later."

The research was funded through the pharmaceutical company Novartis, which helps make amlodipine and aliskiren.

The mixture pill was authorized through the FDA for use from the US last year