title: Fixed combinations in the management of hypertension: patient perspectives and rationale for development and utility of the olmesartan-amlodipine combination.
abstract: Although the awareness and control of hypertension has increased, only 37% of hypertensive patients in the US achieve the conservative goal of <140/90 mmHg. Achieving optimal blood pressure (BP) control is the most important single issue in the management of hypertension, and in most hypertensive patients, it is difficult or impossible to control BP with one drug. Blocking two or more BP regulatory systems provides a more effective and more physiologic reduction in BP, and current guidelines have recommended the use of combination therapy as first-line treatment, or early in the management of hypertension. Fixed combination therapy is an efficacious, relatively safe, and may be cost-effective method of decreasing BP in most patients with essential hypertension. Similar to other combinations, fixed-dose combination tablets containing the dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker amlodipine and the angiotensin II receptor blocker olmesartan bring together two distinct and complementary mechanisms of action, resulting in improved BP control and potential for improved target organ protection relative to either class of agent alone.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hypertension and Nephrology, Dante Pazzanese Institute of Cardiology, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil. espimenta@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pimenta
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oparil
mesh_terms: D017311:Amlodipine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010349:Patient Compliance; D013607:Tablets; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D004338:Drug Combinations; D007093:Imidazoles; D013607:Tablets; D013777:Tetrazoles; D017311:Amlodipine; C437965:olmesartan