Valsartan plus hydrochlorothiazide for first-line therapy in hypertension.
Goal blood pressure levels are only being achieved in approximately a third of hypertensive patients, which suggests that there is a need for new and/or improved approaches to the treatment of hypertension. The majority of patients with hypertension require combination therapy to control their blood pressure. The use of a combination of drugs with complementary mechanisms of action may provide greater efficacy and tolerability compared with monotherapy, and may allow more rapid achievement of target blood pressure. Moreover, the use of single-pill combinations has the potential to increase adherence and persistence, and reduce costs. The single-pill combination of valsartan plus hydrochlorothiazide was recently approved by the US FDA for first-line use in hypertensive patients who are likely to need multiple drugs to achieve their blood pressure goals. The focus of this article is on those randomized, double-blind trials in which this combination was administered as first-line therapy in patients with essential hypertension.
Lacourcière
Yves
Y
Hypertension Research Unit, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université Laval, Quebec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada. yves.lacourciere@crchul.ulaval.ca
Poirier
Luc
L
Samuel
Rita
R
D000284:Administration, Oral; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004232:Diuretics / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006801:Humans; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014633:Valine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068756:Valsartan
D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D004232:Diuretics; D004338:Drug Combinations; D013777:Tetrazoles; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide; D000068756:Valsartan; D014633:Valine