Polypill: for Pollyanna.
A single pill containing a statin, thiazide diuretic, beta-blocker, angiotensin receptor antagonist, folate and ASA has been proposed for all people over age 55, with the aim of reducing cardiovascular disease by 80%. Unfortunately, there are insurmountable problems with choosing appropriate constituents of any such single remedy. Adverse effects, drug interactions, inter-individual variation in drug metabolism, and underlying causes of hypertension that differ between patients require individualized therapy. A single pill that will succeed in all patients is not only practically, but conceptually, an inappropriate approach for the prevention of cardiovascular disease.
Spence
J David
JD
Stroke Prevention & Atherosclerosis Research Centre, Robarts Research Institute, London, ON, Canada. dspence@robarts.ca
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors; D005492:Folic Acid; D001241:Aspirin