title: Amlodipine/valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide triple combination therapy in moderate/severe hypertension: Secondary analyses evaluating efficacy and safety.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An 8-week trial of amlodipine/valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide (Aml/Val/HCTZ) for moderate or severe hypertension demonstrated more-pronounced blood pressure (BP)-lowering effects compared with dual-component therapies. To elucidate the effects of time and baseline BP on the observed responses, exploratory analyses were performed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients aged 18-85 years with mean sitting systolic BP (MSSBP) 145 to <200 mmHg and mean sitting diastolic BP (MSDBP) 100 to <120 mmHg were randomized to Aml 10 mg/Val 320 mg/HCTZ 25 mg; Val 320 mg/HCTZ 25 mg; Aml 10 mg/Val 320 mg; or Aml 10 mg/HCTZ 25 mg. During the first 2 weeks, regimens were force-titrated in two stages.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All least-square mean reductions in MSSBP and MSDBP (baseline to Week 3 and end of study) were significantly greater with triple therapy than with each dual therapy in the overall population and the severe systolic subgroup (baseline MSSBP > or =180 mmHg; except vs. Aml 10 mg/Val 320 mg at Week 3). At Week 3, more patients on triple therapy achieved MSSBP reductions of > or =-60, > or =-50, > or =-40, > or =-30, and > or =-20 mmHg (2.5%, 9.7%, 23.2%, 46.9% and 74.5%, respectively) than those on dual therapy (1.1%-2%, 5.6%-5.9%, 14.5%-16.7%, 33.5%-39.1%, and 58.8%-65.5%, respectively); this was also true at study endpoint. End-of-study MSSBP reductions were greater in triple-therapy recipients who had higher (vs. lower) baseline MSSBPs. LSM reductions ranged from -27.2 mmHg for baseline MSSBP 145 to <150 mmHg, to > or =49.6 mmHg for baseline MSSBP > or =180 mmHg. All treatments were well tolerated regardless of baseline MSSBP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Aml 10 mg/Val 320 mg/HCTZ 25 mg triple therapy is highly effective in reducing BP compared with dual components early in therapy, and systolic BP-lowering effects were proportionate to hypertension severity.
authors.affiliation: University of Alabama at Birmingham, Sleep/Wake Disorders Center, 35294, USA. dcalhoun@uab.edu
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Calhoun
authors.forename: Nora A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Crikelair
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yen
authors.forename: Robert D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Glazer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017311:Amlodipine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014633:Valine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068756:Valsartan
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D013777:Tetrazoles; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide; D017311:Amlodipine; D000068756:Valsartan; D014633:Valine