[Combination therapy of ARB with other class of antihypertensive agents (including fixed combination)].
Recent data and hypertension treatment guidelines supported the use of a combination strategy as initial antihypertensive therapy in high-risk patients with stage 2 hypertension. Numerous studies have demonstrated that additive effects on blood pressure lowering when using combination angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) and diuretics. The potassium -sparing properties of ARB compensate for hypokalemia induced by thiazide diuretics. Ca channel blockers (CCB) have a potent vasodilatory effect, but it enhances sympathetic nervous activity which is suppressed by the combination with ARBs. Combining ARB and CCB is useful in not only additive blood pressure lowering but also decrease in lower extremity edema induced by CCB. In near future, we may be able to use many fixed-dose combination antihypertensive agents, ARB with diuretics or CCB.
Department of Integrated Medicine and Informatics, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine.
Takafumi
T
Okura
Jitsuo
J
Higaki
D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy
D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents