title: Combination antihypertensive drugs: recommendations for use.
abstract: The recommendation for first-line therapy for hypertension remains a beta blocker or diuretic given in a low dosage. A target blood pressure of less than 140/90 mm Hg is achieved in about 50 percent of patients treated with monotherapy; two or more agents from different pharmacologic classes are often needed to achieve adequate blood pressure control. Single-dose combination antihypertension therapy is an important option that combines efficacy of blood pressure reduction and a low side effect profile with convenient once-daily dosing to enhance compliance. Combination antihypertensives include combined agents from the following pharmacologic classes: diuretics and potassium-sparing diuretics, beta blockers and diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and diuretics, angiotensin-II antagonists and diuretics, and calcium channel blockers and ACE inhibitors.
authors.affiliation: Abington Memorial Hospital, Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Skolnik
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Beck
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clark
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001581:Benzothiadiazines; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004232:Diuretics; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017706:Lisinopril / Q000627:therapeutic use; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D001581:Benzothiadiazines; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D004232:Diuretics; D004338:Drug Combinations; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors; D017706:Lisinopril